Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Organic Extracts of Roots of Glycyrrhiza Glabra Linn

Extacts of root of Glycyrrhiza glabra linn were prepared by using n-hexan, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, ethylacetate, and ethanol and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were measured. Secondary metalbilites like flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, and steroids were measured and it was found that highly polar solvents ike ethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate and THF extract more metabolites as compared to less polar solvents. In vitro antioxidant activity of organic extracts of glycyrrhiza glabra root was measured by using DPPH scavenging radicle. Ethanolic extract gave highest antioxidant activity of 92% followed by ethyl acetate 89%, THF 87%, toluene 45% and hexane 23% respectively. The organic extracts of the plant root was further tested for its antibacterial activity against two bacteria viz. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Ethanolic extract and THF extracts have showed mild antibacterial activity against saphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli respectively whereas n-hexane extract failed to inhibit the growth of bacteria. The results have shown that organic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra linn is rich source of secondary metabolites, a strong antioxidant and possess mild antibacterial activity.