Aim: The study was conducted to assess the antibacterial, antioxidant activity and physicochemical evaluation of ethanolic leaf extract of Vitex negundo, Gaultheria fragrantissima and Camellia sinensis.
Methods: Antioxidant property was tested by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging capacity and ABTS•+ radical cation decolorization. Antibacterial property was tested using disc diffusion method. Physicochemical studies like total ash, acid insoluble ash, water insoluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive, hexane soluble extractive, water soluble extractive values and loss on drying at 105 °C were carried out as per the WHO guidelines for individual leaf extract.
Results: Results of the present study showed that ethanolic extract of V. negundo leaf exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher antioxidant activity in terms of measurements of DPPH free radical (IC50). Results showed that vitex negundo, gaultheria fragrantissima and camellia sinensis exhibit potent antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 20.31±1.131 μg/mL, 25.91±1.243 μg/mL and 31.05±1.534 μg/mL respectively when the results were compared with standard ascorbic acid with an IC50 value of 12.76±1.001 μg/mL. Total ash value of plant material indicated the amount of minerals and earthy materials present in the plant material. Analytical results showed the total ash higher value was 6.25% w/w in ethanolic extract of vitex negundo. The higher amount of acid-insoluble siliceous matter present in the gaultheria fragrantissima was 1.91% w/w. The water-soluble extractive value indicated the presence of sugar, acids, and inorganic compounds.
Conclusions: This study shows that ethanolic extract of
leaves of
Vitex negundo, Gaultheria fragrantissima and Camellia sinensis has bioactive
compounds but further active
compounds isolation is necessary to confirm the activities of individual compounds.
