HPTLC Finger Print Profile and Evaluation of in vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Mirabilis jalapa L. Flowers

Human beings have used plants for the treatment of diverse ailments for thousands of years (Sofowara, 1982; Hill, 1989). According to the World Health Organization, most populations still rely on traditional medicines for their psychological and physical health requirements (Rabe and Van Stoden, 2000), since they cannot afford the products of Western pharmaceutical industries together with their side effects and lack of healthcare facilities (Griggs et al., 2001). Rural areas of many developing countries still rely on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs and have found a place in day-to-day life. These medicines are relatively safer and cheaper than synthetic or modern medicine (Iwu et al., 1999; Idu et al., 2007; Mann et al., 2008; Ammara et al., 2009).