Prashith Kekuda T. R, Vivek M. N, Yashoda Kambar, Manasa M, Raghavendra H. L
Persea macrantha (Nees) Kosterm. belonging to the family Lauraceae is found in various states of Karnataka. The plant has got various traditional uses and is reported to exhibit several bioactivities. In the present study, we report antibacterial and radical scavenging potential of leaf and bark of P. macrantha. The powdered leaf and bark were extracted using methanol and the extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis. Antibacterial activity was determined by Agar well diffusion assay. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Total phenolic content of extracts was estimated by FCR method.Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and glycosides in both the extracts. Among bacteria tested, S. aureus and S. typhi were inhibited to higher extent by extracts. The extracts scavenged DPPH free radical dose dependently. Bark extract (IC50 2.44μg/ml) displayed high radical scavenging potential than leaf extract (IC50 8.31μg/ml). Total phenolic content was higher in bark extract than leaf extract. A direct correlation was observed between total phenolic content of extracts and radical scavenging activity. In conclusion, the observed bioactivities of extracts could be ascribed to the presence of phytochemicals in particular phenolics. The plant is shown to be promising for the development of therapeutic agents active against oxidative stress and pathogenic bacteria.
