Phytochemical Investigation and Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potentials of Asparagus racemosus

The ethanol extract of Asparagus racemosus Willd was examined for antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Phytochemical investigation was also done to identify the presence of phytochemical compounds. The ethanol extract at the concentration of 500 mu g disc(-1) showed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalies, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli with zone of inhibition of 7.77 +/- 0.37, 6.07 +/- 0.06, 10.10 +/- 0.11 and 6.00 +/- 0.04 mm, respectively while 250 mu g disc(-1) of the extract did not reveal any zone of inhibition against the tested bacterial strains. Antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract was determined according to their scavenging activity of the stable DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) free radical and 10% H2SO4. In the qualitative antioxidant assay, the extract showed free radical scavenging properties. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant extract showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids and carbohydrates which could be responsible for antibacterial and antioxidant properties justifying the ethnomedicinal applications of Asparagus racemosus. Thus, further advanced research is necessary to isolate and characterize the chemical compounds responsible for the therapeutic activities of the plant.