Abstract:
The present investigation showed that the extracts of E. hirta Linn. displayed antibacterial
activities. The powdered plant material of Euphorbia hirta was extracted in three solvents
ethanol, benzene and water using the Soxhlet extraction apparatus 241 (PSAWINDIA).: The
percentage yields of the extracts were 58 (water), 32 (ethanol), and 15 (benzene). Phytochemical
screening of the crude extracts revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides,
cyanogenic glycosides, anthraquinones, and alkaloids. The presence of these constituents was
linked to the antibacterial activity of the plant, using the agar well-diffusion method. The results
suggested that the use of the extracts of E. hirtaLinn. as an oral medication, both on short -term
and long-term was not safe, due to the presence of some toxic constituents. |
