ANTIMICROBIAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT SCREENING OF LEAVES AND STEM BARK FROM ALBIZIA LEBBECK (L.)

Abstract

Shirish (Albizia lebbeck) leaves and bark have been used in traditional medicines for treatment of inflammatory diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity, phytochemical screening and antioxidant property of methanol soluble extracts of leaves (MSL) and bark (MSB). Best antimicrobial activity was observed with methanol soluble bark against both E. coli and S.aureus. The analysis of minerals in leaves revealed high amount of mineral elements. The potassium content was highest (578.30 mg/100g dry wt.) followed by sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper. Total phenolics and anthocyanins were higher in MSL. The flavanoid to phenolics ratio (F/P ratio) were 0.428 and 0.072 in MSL and MSB respectively. Antioxidant studies revealed the IC50 values 240, 100, 160 and 135µg/ml for DPPH scavenging, deoxyribose degradation, nitric oxide and H2O2 scavenging assays, respectively which were comparable to the IC50 of values standard ascorbic acid. The plant Albizia lebbeck was found to be a rich source of phyto-constituents having immense antioxidant potential and the leaves as good source for mineral nutrients.