Evaluation of phytochemical, antioxidant, and In-vitro antidiarrhoeal, activity of Euphorbia hirta

Background:  The current study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant, and In-vitro antidiarrheal properties of Euphorbia hirta Methods: Extracts were obtained using cold extraction, hot extraction and autoclave extraction methods using Methanol, Chloroform, Petroleum ether and distilled water as solvents. Crude extracts were screened for different phytochemical constituents like sugars, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides etc. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using spectrophotometric method. The in-vitro antidiarrheal activity was elucidated by the antimicrobial activity using agar diffusion method. Results: Methanol proved to be a good solvent for extraction. In-vitro antidiarrheal activity was shown by all extracts on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi bacteria which are mainly responsible for diarrhea. Conclusion: From the phytochemical screening it shows presence of phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, and saponins. The plant also shows antioxidant activity, methnolic extracts shows higher activity and it shows In-vitro antidiarrhoeal activity which clearly indicates that the plant can be used for the treatment of diarrhea. Further studies should be done to isolate the compound responsible for activity in the experimental animals. Keywords: Euphrobia hirta, autoclave extraction, antidiarrheal, phytochemicals