Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of leaves of Elaeocarpus sphaericus Roxb. and Pinus wallichiana from Uttarakhand region of India

Abstract

Background: Elaeocarpus sphaericus is known for its medicinal and spiritual values in India, since long back. Pinus wallichiana, a conifer is known for its timber wood and rich phenolics in the needle. However still, there is no report on the phytoconstituents and biological activities of the leaves of these plants from Uttarakhand region of India. Aim and Objectives: To identify the phytochemicals, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of methanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves of E. sphaericus Roxb and P. wallichiana for exploring their potential for medicinal use. Materials and Methods: Leaves were used for extraction in aqueous and hydro-methanolic solvents through soxhlet method. Extracts were examined for the presence of phenolics and flavonoids. Antioxidant properties were explored by scavenging assays for 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl, nitric oxide, H2O2. Agar well diffusion assay was applied for the antimicrobial potential of the extracts against pathogenic bacteria. Experiments were done in triplicates, and average values with standard deviations are shown. Results: Hydro-methanolic extracts were rich in phenols and flavonoids. E. sphaericus extract has shown better antioxidant property than that of P. wallichiana. Hydro-methanolic extracts have shown antioxidant potential better than aqueous extracts. Only, hydro-methanolic extracts showed antibacterial activities. E. sphaericus have shown better antibacterial activities than that of P. wallichiana. Conclusion: Hydro-methanolic extracts of E. sphaericus and P. wallichiana are rich in phenolics and flavonoids and possess good antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Leaf extract of E. sphaericus has promising antioxidant and antibacterial potential.