Unveiling the chemical profile, synergistic antibacterial and hemolytic effects of Cymbopogon citratus and Tachyspermum ammi leaves

Abstract

Current study was performed to investigate the antioxidant, synergistic antibacterial and hemolytic potential of aqueous (AC & AT) and ethanolic (EC & ET) extracts of Cymbopogon citratus and Trachyspermum ammi leaves. The investigated extracts were characterized by FT-IR, HPLC, GCMS and ICP analyses. FT-IR data verified the existence of N–H, O–H, C–O, C=O, S=O, C–N, C=N, C–H(aromatic), Si–C and Si–O moieties in extracts. The highest values of TPC (97.09 mg/100g GAE) and TFC (75.76 mg/100gCE) were shown by the ethanolic extract of T. ammi whereas the aqueous extract of C. citratus showed the lowest quantities of TPC (4.07 mg/100g GAE) and TFC (2.43 mg/100g CE). GC-MS analysis showed the existence of 45, 30, 24 and 8 compounds in AC, EC, ET and AT extracts, respectively. The highest concentrations in AC, EC, ET and AT were observed for 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid (11.99%), lupeol (23.26%), phytol (15.53%) and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (58.49%). ICP analysis determined the concentration of 26 metals in extracts. AC possessed the highest concentrations of Na, Ca, Mg and K and may find uses as a nutritional/medicinal supplement of these metals. The ethanolic extract of each plant was richer in antioxidant contents; the ethanolic extract of T. ammi being the richest with 69.07% radical scavenging activity relative to BHT (83.54%). Mixtures of plant extracts exhibited higher biofilm inhibitions than their ingredients or ciprofloxacin against S. aureus and E. coli. Hemolytic activities of all the investigated leaf extracts were found in the safe range.