Seema Dwivedi, Shachi Singh and Jasmeet Singh

Plants have always been important in traditional medicine, providing an extensive range of bioactive chemicals that are still of interest to science today. The present study evaluates the effect of several extraction solvents and plant parts (i.e., leaf, stem, and root) on the production of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, plumbagin and biological activity of Plumbago zeylanica L. Bioactive components were extracted using solvents ranging in polarity from non-polar hexane to polar water. The study found significant changes in extract yields depending on the solvent and plant part used, with aqueous extraction giving the most chemicals. Plumbagin, which is predominantly contained in the root, was extracted most effectively with hexane, chloroform, and acetone solvents. Water extracts were notably high in phenolics, whereas ethanolic extracts were high in flavonoids. The study also assessed the biological activities of the extracts, including their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Results indicated that acetone extracts displayed the highest antioxidant activity, with leaves generally exhibiting superior properties compared to stems and roots. The antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria was observed in hexane, chloroform, and acetone extracts, with plumbagin showing substantial antibacterial potential. In the case of antifungal activity, chloroform and acetone root extracts displayed significant inhibitory effects against Candida species, indicating potential use against fungal pathogens. This study focuses on the possible applications of Plumbago zeylanica L. and its constituents in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and other industries, highlighting the need of choosing the right solvent and plant part to produce the therapeutic benefits that are desired.

DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2023.v12.i6a.14760

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