Abstract

The proposed study has largely focused on two distinct lines of investigation. In the first approach, efforts have been made to evaluate macroscopic and microscopic pharmacognostic characteristics of Hibiscus hiritus L. In the second approach, the pharmacological potential of the whole plant extract was explored for in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and in vivo antiinflammatory activity. The extract and dry powdered plant material were screened for phytochemical constituents and other physiochemical parameters. Various microscopic characteristics of fresh leaves and stem of the plant (paradermal and T.S) were extensively evaluated. Methanol extract of the whole plant was used for pharmacological screening. Antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay using ascorbic acid as the standard. Antimicrobial property was evaluated using cup plate method against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Antiinflammatory potential was evaluated in the rat carrageenan-induced paw edema model. The IC50 values obtained in the antioxidant assay were, 42±0.06 and 2.8±1.64 % in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, respectively. Inhibitory activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (14±0.15 mm), Bacillus subtilis (14±0.13 mm) and Escherichia coli (14±0.16 mm). The study also revealed significant and dose-dependent antiinflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. The present study explored the pharmacognostic features and the pharmacological potential of Hibiscus hiritus to provide evidence for the traditional therapeutic use of the plant as an antibacterial, antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent.