Influence of conventional and modern scheme of extraction and solvents on phytochemicals and biological activities of Sphaeranthus indicus

Present study was based upon the phytochemical screening, antimicrobial and antithrombotic potential of a traditional herb Spharenthus indicus (commonly called East Indian globe thistle). A range of solvents from non-polar to polar (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol) were used to attained the extract by employing conventional and modern methods of extraction like orbital shaker assisted extraction, decoction and microwave assisted extraction in order to check their effect on concentration of phytoconstituent and biological activities. Percentage yield was varied from 2.01 to 30.05 % of dry weight. Phytochemical screening provides a detailed profile in plant matrix like tannins are present in methanol and ethyl acetate extracts while absent in n-hexane extracts. Flavonoids, phenols and saponins are present in methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts in decreasing order. Cumarins are present in high amount in methanol extracts. The antibacterial test was applied on all extracts of plant and the larger zone of inhibition was found against S. typhi 18.9±0.4 (mm) for microwave extract of methanol. The thrombolytic activity of S. indicus showed greater activity of 80 % for methanol extract (microwave assisted). This work emphasizes the consideration of microwave assisted extraction on the basis of scientific evidence in order to utilize S. indicus for the basic and applied research of biology.