Phytochemical Profiling and In-vitro Antibacterial Potential of Adhatoda vasica Leaf Extracts

Adhatoda vasica is a well-recognized medicinal plant in the Indian traditional system of medicine, particularly for the treatment of respiratory disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the qualitative phytochemical composition and in-vitro antibacterial activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of A. vasica against selected human bacterial pathogens. Fresh leaves were collected from the botanical garden of Dr. D. Y. Patil Arts, Commerce and Science College, Akurdi. Ethanolic extracts were prepared by maceration and screened for major classes of secondary metabolites using standard qualitative tests. Antibacterial activity was assessed by the agar-well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridans, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins and terpenoid-type constituents in the leaf extract. The extract exhibited noticeable inhibitory activity against all the tested organisms, with comparatively higher activity against E. coli and S. aureus. The findings support the traditional use of A. vasica and suggest its potential as a natural source of antibacterial agents for further pharmaceutical development.