Active ingredient estimation and in-vitro analysis of Jacquinia barbasco (Loefl.) Mez plant extracts

Abstract

Jacquinia barbasco (Loefl.) Mez is a native genus with 35 species in Central America and the Caribbean. These plants are used to cure stomach pain in some rural areas. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis helped us in finding out the active ingredients, and many of the in vitro activities of this species are carried out to assay its bioactive nature. The crude extracts were screened for the presence or absence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, steroidal compounds, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and anthraquinone using standard procedures. The total phenol contents were determined by the Folin Ciocalteu procedure. Agar well-diffusion method was followed to determine the antimicrobial activity. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was measured by using 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). The results of preliminary phyto chemical screening confirmed the presence of various classes of secondary metabolites in the Jacquinia barbasco (Loefl.) Mez plant extract. The extracts showed better free radical scavenging activity and antimicrobial activity.