Phytochemical screening and antibacterial effect of root extract of Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Family Nyctaginaceae)

Boerhaavia diffusa belonging to the family of the Nyctaginaceae is mainly a diffused perennial herbaceous creeping weed of India. The present study deals with the investigation of phytochemical analysis and evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and methanolic extract of the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa. The result revealed the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, steroid and tannin in both the root extracts. B. diffusa root extract possesses antimicrobial activity as the zone of inhibition was observed for both gram positive as well as gram negative bacterial strains.