Medicinal plants form a major source of raw materials for drugs for the prevention and treatment of ailments. Mirabilis jalapa linn is used as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory agent, laxative in folk medicine. Antioxidants play an important role in protecting against damage by reactive oxygen species.The present study was designed to evaluate the plant potential as an antioxidant lead by using various in vitro models like Hydrogen peroxide scavenging method and reducing power assay method and also to determine its antibacterial potential. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols like phenolic compounds and tannins. The total flavanoid content of the extract was found to be 4.41 ± 0.02 mg /gram. The plant exhibited significant antioxidant properties and could serve as a free radical inhibitor or scavenger. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined by the agar well diffusion method. The greatest zone of inhibition was displayed by methanolic extract against pseudomonas at 3mg/ml. With a wide spectrum of inhibition against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, the methanolic extract of Mirabilis jalapa are worthy of further investigation as a natural wide spectrum antibacterial agent. These results indicates the potential of Mirabilis jalapa as a source of antioxidant and antibacterial compound. © 2013 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.