Phytochemical investigation, antibacterial activity and antioxidant activity of the endangered tree Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari

Abstract

Commiphora wightii is an arid region plant, highly valued for its medicinally important guggul gum-resin as a source of guggulsterone. It is listed in IUCN’s Red Data List of threatened plants and now it is becoming endangered. Gum resin it has been used in the Ayurveda science time immemorial for the treatment of variety of disorders such as inflammation, rheumatism, obesity and disorders of lipids metabolism. The present paper deals with phytochemical studies in antibacterial activity and antioxidant activity of C. wightii. Qualitative analysis of C. wightii shows the presence of bioactive compounds such as Alkaloids Flavonoids, Phenols, Tannins, Steroids and Terpenoids were present in C. wightii except, Saponins and Carbohydrates. Study confirms the antibacterial activity of gum extract of C. wightii the extract found effective bacterial strain, the activity of gum extract antibacterial activity higher than in gram negative bacteria, gum had a broad spectrum antibacterial activity of compare to in gram positive bacteria is a plant with a variety of ethnic medicinal uses. Antioxidant activity by inhibiting DPPH free radicals which indicates the gum extract is very much of C. wightii can be used as an accessible source of natural antioxidant agent. This is valuable information for preparation of drugs in pharmaceutical industry and stresses the need for more intensive research since they play a great role in healthcare.