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Abstract

Hemidesmus indicus Linn. R. Br. is a twining shrub traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases and ailments in the rural area of Bangladesh. Different extracts (methanol, hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water) from the roots of this shrub tested for their antimicrobial, cytotoxicity and free radical scavenging activities. All extracts showed moderate free radical scavenging activity and SC 50 values ranging from 24.98µg/mL to 93.14µg/mL, and sufficient potency for their brine shrimp lethality activity and IC 50 values from 1.32µg/mL to 8.67µg/mL. The n-hexane extract showed significant antimicrobial activity against all tested organisms, with a zone inhibition ranging from 10 mm to 27 mm at the concentration of 400µg/disc. Bioassay guided fraction of the extracts has led to isolation of two triterpeniods, 3β-O-acetyl β-amyrin, lupeol 3-β-acetate and a phenolic compound, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzaldehyde. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods as well as comparison with available data in the literature.