Antimicrobial, Thrombolytic, Membrane Stabilizing Activities and Total Flavonoid Content of Various Partitionates of Aerial Parts of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk

Abstract

Eclipta alba is a medicinal herb belonging to the family of Asteraceae. Locally it is known as
Kalokeshi and has a history of ethno-medicinal properties. The crude ethanolic extract of E. alba leaves was
partitioned successively by solvents of different polarities. The crude extract along with different partitionates was
evaluated for their possible antimicrobial, thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing activities. In this study, n-hexane
soluble fraction (HXSF) showed 55.56% maximum activity against thrombosis in comparison with streptokinase
(SK) 62.67%. For hypotonic solution- and heat-induced conditions, the n-hexane soluble fractionate (67.35 ± 0.50%)
significantly inhibited the haemolysis of HRBCs by 67.35 ± 0.50% and 62.12 ± 0.69%, respectively as compared to
the standard acetyl salicylic acid (77.91 ± 0.29%). The ethanol extract of the plant showed higher inhibitory action
against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas fluroescens. The total flavonoid
content was quite significant in ethanolic extract (142.17 ± 0.15 mg/g). Hence, the results of the present study
revealed that the leaves of this traditional medicinal plant are a remedy for thrombosis, red blood cell membrane
stabilization and microbial infections against some human pathogens.