Pharmacognostic Evaluation, Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Study of Leaves Extracts of Urena lobata Linn

Urena lobata is a plant (Malvaceae family) found abundantly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Traditionally plant is used in febrifuge, rheumatism, wound and as antiseptic. To evaluate the scientific basis for the use of the plant, the antimicrobial activities of extracts of the leaves were evaluated against some common Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. Pulverized Urena lobata leaves were investigated for physical constant (LOD, ash value, fluorescence analysis). The fresh leaf of Urena lobata was studied for microscopical characterization which shows upper and lower epidermis, palisade cells, spongy parenchyma in lamina while collenchyma and vascular bundles were observed in midrib. The antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts were evaluated by determination of the diameter of zone of inhibition against both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria using agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, tannins and both the extracts were active against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, of which Aqueous extract shows significant results.