Mital Kaneria

Determination of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential of Some Medicinal Plants from Saurashtra Region, India

Many plants used in Saurashtra folk medicine have been reported to exhibit high antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In the present study, some parts of five plants, Guazuma ulmifolia L., Manilkara zapota L., Melia azedarach L., Syzygium cumini L. and Wrightia tomentosa R.& S., were evaluated for their antibacterial activity, total phenol content, flavonoid content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity and phytochemical analysis, using successive extraction by cold percolation method with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. In vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated against five bacterial strains viz. Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Enterobacter aerogenes by agar well diffusion method. Among the plants screened, W. tomentosa leaf and fruit showed the best antibacterial activity. The Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible than Gram-negative bacteria. Methanol extract of M. zapota showed the best 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity. Highest total phenol content was shown by M. zapota and S. cumini in methanol extract, while highest flavonoid content was shown by W. tomentosa stem in petroleum ether extract and ethyl acetate extract. In all the plants, cardiac glycosides and triterpenes were more as compared to other phytoconstituents.

Effect of Extraction Techniques and Solvents on Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Leaf and Stem

The effect of commonly used techniques and solvents in the antioxidant activities of Pomegranate leaves and stems were studied. The extraction techniques compared were successive, individual (cold percolation), and decoction methods in both parts using solvents viz. petroleum ether, toluene, ethyl acetate, acetone, and water. The antioxidant activity of all the different solvent extracts of leaves and stem was evaluated using antioxidant assays like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Total phenol and flavonoid content was also measured. Successive extraction was a better technique to extract the antioxidants from pomegranate than other techniques evaluated in the present study. For the aqueous extraction, decoction method was found to be the best method to extract the antioxidants and it is the most convenient, exhaustive, and time-saving extraction technique for both parts of pomegranate. The results showed that the extracting solvent significantly altered the antioxidant property estimations of pomegranate leaf and stem. High correlations between phenolic compositions and antioxidant activities of pomegranate extracts were observed. High levels of antioxidant activities were detected in pomegranate leaf as compared to stem indicating that the leaf may serve as an excellent source of natural antioxidants.

Antioxidative and antibacterial effects of seeds and fruit rind of nutraceutical plants belonging to the Fabaceae family

In the present study, the seeds and fruit rind of six plants of the Fabaceae family were selected to evaluate their potential as antioxidant and antibacterial agents. The dried powders were individually extracted with various organic solvents by the cold percolation method, were evaluated for antibacterial activity and methanol extracts used for antioxidant activities. Total phenol, protein and sugar contents were also measured. Antioxidant activities were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and reducing capacity assessment. Antibacterial activity was measured by the agar well diffusion method against four Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria. The methanol extract of the fruit rind of C. indica showed the maximum DPPH free radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, a high reducing capacity assessment and also had the highest total phenol content. There was a direct correlation between the phenol content and the antioxidant activity. The antibacterial activity of all the extracts was more pronounced on Gram positive bacteria than on Gram negative bacteria. Thus, the fruit rind of C. indica showed the best antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Optimization of Conditions for the Extraction of Antioxidants from Leaves of Syzygium cumini L. Using Different Solvents

The aim of the present study was to find out the best method for extracting antioxidants from Syzygium cumini L. leaves. The extraction was done by three different methods: sequential cold percolation extraction method, decoction extraction method, and maceration extraction method. Antioxidant activity, total phenol, and flavonoid content were determined in all different extracts of various extraction methods of S. cumini L. leaves. Antioxidant activity was tested by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, and reducing capacity assessment. Sequential cold percolation extraction method proved to be the best extraction method. The acetone extract had maximum phenol and flavonoid content and showed best DPPH free radical scavenging activity and reducing capacity assessment. Ethyl acetate extract showed best superoxide radical scavenging activity, while aqueous extract showed best hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. It can be concluded that sequential cold percolation extraction method is the best method of extracting leaf antioxidants for this plant at least.

Assessment of effect of hydroalcoholic and decoction methods on extraction of antioxidants from selected Indian medicinal plants

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of extraction methods on antioxidant activities of selected Indian medicinal flora. METHODS Different parts of plants were extracted by hydroalcoholic and decoction methods using water and various concentrations of methanol (ME) viz. 75%, 50% and 25% ME. The antioxidant activity of all the different extracts was evaluated using two different antioxidant assays viz. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and superoxide anion radical scavenging assay. Total phenol and flavonoid content was also estimated. RESULTS The results showed that the extracting solvent significantly altered the antioxidant property estimations of screened plants. High correlations between phenolic compositions and antioxidant activities of extracts were observed. High levels of antioxidant activities were detected in Manilkara zapota (M. zapota) as compared with other screened plants. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained appear to confirm the effect of different methods on extraction of antioxidants and antioxidant property of M. zapota.

The Effect of Sequential Fractionation Technique on the Various Efficacies of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub. Various parts of this plant are used in the treatment of dyspepsia, bronchitis, hypotensive, throat inflammation, etc. and its nutritional value has well been accepted. In the present study, antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacy of different solvent fractions of P. granatum leaves was investigated. Fractionation was done sequentially in Soxhlet apparatus, using various solvents like petroleum ether, toluene, ethyl acetate, acetone, and water. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, and reducing capacity assessment. Total phenol and flavonoid content was also measured. The antimicrobial activity was assessed by agar well diffusion method against some of the tested food borne, pathogenic, and skin disease causing microorganisms. Antiulcer activity of the P. granatum acetone fraction (PGA) was evaluated using ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. The PGA had maximum phenol content and had higher antioxidant activity. The PGA showed better DPPH free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity than that of the standards. The results demonstrated that acetone fraction had potent gastroprotective and antisecretory effects. This study suggests that sequential fractionation technique is an excellent technique of extracting bioactive components of this plant at least. This study also demonstrated that PGA can serve as a potential natural source for use in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industry.

Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Manilkara zapota L. (chiku) leaves by sequential soxhlet extraction method

Abstract Objective Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Manilkara zapota L. (chiku) leaves was studied. Methods The antioxidant property of different solvent extracts of Manilkara zapota L. leaves was evaluated by DPPH free radical, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and reducing capacity assessment, while the antimicrobial property was evaluated by agar well diffusion method against some of the tested food borne, spoilage, pathogenic and skin disease causing microorganisms. Results The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of acetone extract was better than that of standard ascorbic acid and superoxide anion scavenging activity of acetone extract was better than that of standard gallic acid. It showed good reducing capacity assessment also. Maximum phenol content was also present in acetone extract thus supporting the idea that phenolic content and antioxidant activity show a direct correlation. Acetone extract showed significant antimicrobial activity amongst all the different solvent extracts. Conclusion Result presented here suggest that acetone extract of M. zapota leaves possess strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and it may be considered as an interesting and economic source of antioxidants and antimicrobics for therapeutic or nutraceutical industries and for food manufactures or pharmaceuticals.

Acute oral toxicity of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula leaf extract in Wistar albino rats

Context: Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw. var. pendula (Annonaceae), a tall evergreen tree, is cultivated all over India. The plant is used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of fever, skin diseases, and hypertension. Objective: The present study evaluated the acute oral toxicity of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula leaf extract in Wistar albino rats. Material and methods: The parameters evaluated daily after oral drug administration of the extract (540, 1080, 2160 and 3240 mg/kg body weight) were mortality, signs of toxicity, feed and water consumption and body weight changes up to 14 days. The effect of different doses of the extract on organ weight, biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated on the 15th day. Results and conclusion: Methanol extract of Polyalthia longifolia leaf up to the dose level 3240 mg/kg body weight did not produce any toxic effects or deaths; the extract was well tolerated by the rats. It did not alter body weight, feed and water consumption. The organ weight, biochemical and hematological analysis did not show any dose- dependant changes in any of the parameters examined in animals of both sexes. The acute oral administration of the methanol extract of Polyalthia longifolia leaf was not toxic and safe in a single dose.

Protective effect of Polyalthia longifolia var.pendula leaves on ethanol and ethanol/HCl induced ulcer in rats and its antimicrobial potency

OBJECTIVE To explore antiulcer and antimicrobial properties of methanolic extract of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula. METHODS Gastroprotective potential of Polyalthia longifolia was studied on ethanol and ethanol/HCl induced ulcers at 2 different doses (270 and 540 mg/kg/body weight). Antimicrobial efficacy of Polyalthia longifolia (25 mg/mL) was also studied against six gram positive, seven gram negative bacteria and five fungi by agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by agar well diffusion method in two fold serial dilution, in the range of 97-25,000 μg/mL. RESULTS The reduction of ulcer index in Polyalthia longifolia treated animals was found to be statistically significant with respect to control animals. The Polyalthia longifolia exhibited ulcer protection activity in dose dependent manner and was also better than the standard. In antimicrobial activity, gram positive bacteria were more susceptible to Polyalthia longifolia than gram negative bacteria and fungal strains. CONCLUSIONS Results obtained confirm the antiulcer and antimicrobial potential of the Polyalthia longifolia.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of various polar solvent extracts of stem and leaves of four Cassia species

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaves and stem of four Cassia species are reported in solvents like methanol, acetone and water after defatting with petroleum ether. In vitro antioxidant activities like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities and reducing capacity assessment was done. Total phenol and flavonoid content were measured. The antimicrobial activity was tested against eight bacterial and four fungal strains. There was a direct correlation between phenol content and antioxidant activity. The acetone extract of stem of Cassia auriculata showed significantly higher antioxidant activity while acetone and methanol extracts of stem and leaves showed a broad range of antimicrobial property. Therefore, it is concluded that C. auriculata possess phenolic properties that has considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.