In-vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Effects of Mimusops elengi (Linn.) Stem Bark Extract

Abstract

Background: Mimusops elengi (Linn.) has high medicinal value and is a native plant of India. In the traditional system of medicine, the bark of M. elengi was used as cardiotonic, alexipharmic, stomachic, anthelmintic, tonic, and tooth-protectant that might be associated with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Microorganisms are an integral part of our buccal cavity and intestines, however, a change in normal microflora can result in pathological manifestations. Objective: The current study attempts to evaluate the antioxidant activity of M. elengi (Linn.) stem bark extracts using in-vitro methods and the efficacy of M. elengi (Linn.) stem bark extracts against Gram-negative bacteria and fungal strains. Methods: Extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) were prepared using a Soxhlet assembly and rotavapor. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening and in-vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial tests. Results: The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of M. elengi stem bark showed appreciable DPPH free radical scavenging, reducing power, and nitric oxide inhibitory activities with a concentration-dependent increase in their effects. The ethanolic extract showed better antioxidant activity relative to the aqueous extract. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, and Salmonella typhi growth were suppressed by the M. elengi extracts. Both extracts showed maximum activity against S. typhi, while the ethanolic extract had better antibacterial and antifungal (S. cerevisiae, P. chrysogenum, and A. fumigatus) activity relative to the aqueous extract. Conclusions: The findings of the present study conclude that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. elengi (L.) stem bark showed potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.