Phytochemical screening and biological studies of the stems of Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.)

Abstract

Polyalthia suberosa, a long been used medicinal plant was undertaken to investigate for phytochemical screening and biological activities. The phytochemical screening of the stems of Polyalthia suberosa upon investigation showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids and terpenoids. Biological activities of different extracts of the plant stems (hexane, DCM, methanol and water) were tested using well-established methods. The antimicrobial activity was carried out using disc diffusion method. All the extracts showed more sensitivity against gram-negative bacteria than towards gram-positive bacteria providing significant zone of inhibition. Free radical scavenging activity using DPPH method showed significant free radical scavenging activity with low IC50 values for methanol and water extracts of the stems of Polyalthia suberosa. Cytotoxic activity tested on Artemia salina samples showed good results of mortality for all the extracts but the best result was found for methanol extract. Total antioxidant capacity of the above-mentioned extracts provided strong results for all the extracts, but methanolic extract came out to be the most potent.