Evaluation of phytonutrients, mineral composition, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective activities of leaves of Actinodaphne madraspatana Bedd (Lauraceae)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phytonutrients, mineral composition, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective activities of leaf of Actinodaphne madraspatanaBedd (A.madraspatana). The content of β-carotene and lycopene in ethanol extract was determined by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The mineral composition of the leaf powder was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract (200μg/mL) was tested by disc diffusion method against six bacterial and four fungal strains, which was compared with Ciprofloxacin (5μg/disc) for bacteria and Nystatin (100 μg/disc) for fungi. The hepatoprotective activity of extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) was investigated in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity, which was compared with silymarin at a dose level of 50 mg/kg. The average contents of β-carotene and lycopene in ethanol extract was found to be 1.20±0.002 mg/gm and 0.21±0.002 mg/gm dry weight of extract respectively. The composition of minerals present in leaf powder was within in the permissible limit. The results of antimicrobial activity showed that ethanol extract proved the antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. Results of hepatoprotective activity revealed that the ethanol extract showed the significant (p˂0.001) hepatoprotective activity. The ethanol extract of leaves of A.madraspatana has potent antimicrobial and hepatoprotective activities.