Abstract

DPPH RADICAL SCAVENGING AND ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIALS OF LEUCAS CEPHALOTES ETHANOLIC EXTRACT

Asit Baron Sarker, Md. Anisur Rahman, Azim Uddin, Monotosh Kumar Sarkar, Salehin Sheikh and Muhammad Torequl Islam*

ABSTRACT

Background: Toxic free radicals are responsible for oxidative stress, and they are implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including infectious diseases in the human body. Antioxidants from natural sources are preferable to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals. Aim: This study aimed at the evaluation of free radical scavenging and antibacterial properties of the ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Leucas cephalotes (ELC). Methods: A DPPH assay was performed to check free radical scavenging, while a disc diffusion assay was performed for checking the antibacterial properties of ELC using ascorbic acid (AA) and kanamycin as reference drugs, respectively. Results: Results demonstrate that ELC displayed a concentration-dependent and significant DPPH free radical scavenging capacity. IC50 values calculated for the ELC and AA were 48.94 and 9.70 µg/ml, respectively. ELC also exhibited antibacterial activity at 250 and 500 µg/disc against Streptococcus pyogens, Shigella flexneri, and Staphylococcus aureus, with zones of inhibition ranging from 8.50 to 24.80 mm. Conclusion: ELC showed significant DPPH free radical scavenging and mild to strong antibacterial effects. Further studies are required to elucidate its bioactive compounds along with their antioxidant and antibacterial mechanisms.

Keywords: Leucas cephalotes, ethanol extract, free radical scavenge; antibacterial activity.