methanolic extract

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Family -Nymphaeaceae) commonly known as Indian lotus. Also known as the sacred lotus has been used in the indigenous system of medicine. Phytochemical constituents, free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity of various extracts of Nelumbo nucifera flowers were carried out in the study. Phytochemicals were extracted from Nelumbo nucifera flowers using various solvents such as aqueous, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methanol and petroleum ether. Screening of phytochemicals showed positive results for the presence of flavanoids, alkaloids, phenols, glycosides, carbohydrates and tannins. Phytochemicals were best extracted in methanol. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was measured in terms of reducing power and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. The methanolic extract was found to possess comparatively higher antioxidant properties. So, the present data suggests that methanolic extract of lotus flower constitute significant amounts of phytochemical compounds and are good source of antioxidants.

The love affair of Asian’s with Ling zhi, the Chinese name for Ganoderma lucidum and related species can be traced back over two thousand years. Ganoderma lucidum has been used for a broad spectrum of health benefits from preventive measures and maintenance of health to the regulation or treatment of chronic as well as acute life threatening illness. The present study was done to compare the Aqueous and methanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum for anthelmintic activity and to compare the methanolic and chloroform-acetone extract of Ganoderma lucidum for antibacterial activity. Aqueous extract of mushroom did not show any result for anthelmintic activity, while the methanolic extract (60 mg/ml) was equally effective as standard (Albendazole 20 mg/ml). For antibacterial activity both the methanolic (350 mg/ml) and chloroform-acetone (350 mg/ml) extracts showed effective results, but the results of choloroform-acetone extract were more effective than methanolic extract and standard (Gentamycin 40 mg/ml). Key words: anthelmintic, antibacterial, methanolic extract, aqueous extract.