Abstract

EXTRACTION AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF HIBISCUS AS AN ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT

G. Durga Devi*, M. Aruna, B. Jhansi Lakshmi, CH. Aruna, K. Siri,
CH. Jhansi, Dr. Y. Ankamma Chowdary

ABSTRACT

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance has created an urgent demand for novel and effective therapeutic agents derived from natural sources. Medicinal plants continue to serve as an important source of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological activities. The present study focuses on the extraction and evaluation of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis for its antimicrobial potential. Plant materials, including leaves and flowers, were dried, powdered, and extracted using suitable solvents such as ethanol, methanol, and water through standard extraction techniques. The obtained extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to determine the presence of secondary metabolites including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and phenolic compounds. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was assessed against selected pathogenic microorganisms using the agar well diffusion method. The results demonstrated notable inhibitory effects, with organic solvent extracts exhibiting greater activity compared to aqueous extracts. The antimicrobial action is likely associated with the presence of phenolic and flavonoid constituents, which are known to interfere with microbial cell wall integrity and metabolic processes. The study highlights the potential of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis as a natural source of antimicrobial agents. Further investigations involving isolation of active compounds, mechanism of action studies, toxicity evaluation, and in vivo experiments are necessary to establish its clinical relevance and pharmaceutical application.

Keywords: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, medicinal plant, antimicrobial resistance, phytochemical screening, plant extract, natural therapeutics.