The recent interest on alternative medicine has
taken up great dimensions in changing the health care scenario
across the globe. The worldwide interest in medicinal plants
reflects recognition of the validity of studying the antimicrobial
and antioxidant activity. Hence the present study was carried
out to explore antibacterial and antioxidant potential of
hydroethanolic extract of both white and pink flowers of
Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (Nelumbonaceae) flower in vitro.
The antibacterial activity was screened against different
bacterial strains by detecting zone of inhibition and minimum
inhibitory concentration (MIC). The zone of inhibition and
MIC values were compared with control compared with
standard antibiotic disc suggesting their potential as
alternatives to orthodox antibiotics in the treatment of
infectious caused by these microorganisms. Total antioxidant
potential was evaluated in hydroethanolic extract of white
Nelumbo nucifera (HEWNN) flower and hydroethanolic
extract of pink Nelumbo nucifera (HEPNN) flower by: Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Hemoglobin
glycosylation,Reducing power and Phosphomolybdenum and
compared with the standard ascorbic acid in dose dependent
manner. Both HEWNN and HEPNN flower extracts showed
maximum activity 16.53 mg and 14.21 mg at 1000μg/ml
concentration in FRAP assay. Significantly high antioxidant
activity (55.5% & 41.6%) was noticed in haemoglobin
glycosylation followed reducing power (0.52 & 0.45 Abs). The
results suggest that alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids in flowers
provide considerable antioxidant activity. However, in
comparison with HEPNN flower, HEWNN flower extract
exerted effective antibacterial and potent antioxidant activity
which can be used as a lead compound for drug development
in the future.