Biological activity of leaf and callus extracts of Xanthophyllum flavescens Roxb. – A potent medicinal plant of Western Ghat

Abstract

The biological properties of leaves and leaves-derived callus extracts in various solvents were determined in Xanthophyllum flavescens. A maximum calli induction of 89.25 %, 78.25 % and 69.72 flavescens % in MS medium fortified with 6-Benzyl amino purine (1.5 mg L⁻¹), 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (1.5 mg L⁻¹) and Kinetin (2.0 mg L⁻¹) achieved on MS medium in leaves explants. Phytochemical screening revealed varied secondary metabolites such as phenolics, sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. Overall extracts tested for antimicrobial screening, the callus methanol extract was found to inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa, E. coli, B. subtilis, S. typhi and S. aureus (MIC; 0.156–0.625 mg mL⁻¹) and F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, A. flavus and C. albicans (MIC; 0.312–0.625 mg mL⁻¹). Furthermore, live and dead cell assay followed by SEM observations revealed that, the dead cells with the damaged cell wall in E. coli and P. aeruginosa upon treatment with methanol callus extracts active column fractions. All the extracts showed significant total phenolics, and flavonoid contents with a good source of antioxidant properties in a dose-dependent manner in DPPH, nitric oxide, phosphomolybdenum, and reducing power assay. Haemolytic activity of potent crude extracts showed anti-haemolysis of 2.03 % and 2.15 % (500 µg mL⁻¹) against human erythrocytes. This study offers an opportunity to conserve and explore this potent medicinal plant for further pharmaceutical usage.