EXTRACTION, BIOACTIVITIES, PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND IN-VIVO TOXICITY STUDIES OF MESUA FERREA L. STAMENS

摘要

Objective: To investigate in-vitro antibacterial and free radical scavenging potentials of Mesua ferrea L. stamens which are used in traditional medicinal preparations along with their phytochemical investigation and in-vivo toxicity studies Methods: Various extracts of M. ferrea stamens were prepared by kinetic maceration method using four organic solvents. Potent antibacterial n-hexane extract of stamens was selected in the preliminary screening for antibacterial activity which was performed by an agar diffusion method for further studies. Quantification of antibacterial activity of n-hexane extract was carried out using broth microdilution method as per CLSI guidelines. Phytochemical investigations of the same extract were performed using qualitative tests for the detection of various phytochemical groups and Libermann-Burchard colorimetric assay for determination of total terpenoid content. In-vivo safety of the extract was determined by acute oral toxicity studies in mice as per OECD guidelines test no.420. Results: n-hexane extract of M. ferrea stamens was found most potent amongst other extracts studied for antibacterial activity; moreover it exhibited bactericidal activity against selected bacterial pathogens. The same extract exhibited good free radical scavenging activity in DPPH assay (IC 50 value = 66.3 μg/ml). Phytochemical investigation of extract revealed presence of sterols, terpenoids and volatile oil components and the total terpenoid content was estimated as 102.8 mg/ml of dried extract (in terms of lupeol equivalents). The extract was found safe in mice in acute oral toxicity studies. Conclusion: M. ferrea stamens exhibited broad spectrum antibacterial activity along with good free radical scavenging potential and in-vivo safety which encourage further studies in the area. Keywords: Mesua ferrea L, Antibacterial, Free radical scavenging, Phytochemical investigation, Acute oral toxicity.