Phytochemical and biological investigation of methanolic leaf extract of Atalantia roxburghiana

Abstract

The present study investigated the phytochemical and biological properties of Atalantia roxburghiana leaf methanol extract for the first time. The objective was to establish this plant as a potential therapeutic agent in traditional practice of medicine in Bangladesh. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the crude methanolic extract exhibited the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenols, phytosterols, tannins, glycosides and saponin. DPPH radical scavenging effect, total flavonoid and phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities were studied through established protocols and the leaf extract showed significant antioxidant potential through these experimentations. Moderate cytotoxic effect was observed in brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion method where the plant extract showed maximum activity against the bacteria Escherichia coli & Vibrio cholera. Evaluation of thrombolytic activity using Streptokinase further indicated very significant thrombolytic properties of the methanolic extract. The present data constitutes a preliminary investigation of the plant which might be valuable for performing research and developing new drugs from natural sources in order to treat different kinds of illnesses in our country as well as in other parts of the world.