Phytochemical, antimicrobial and antioxidant studies of the leaf extract of Hamelia patens

This study aimed to characterise the different extracts of the leaves of Hamelia patens Jacq. (Rubiaceae) and to evaluate their antibacterial and antioxidant activities in vitro. Phytochemical screening of the leaf extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, tannins and carotenoids. The extracts were further characterised with the help of FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method and the zone of inhibition was measured. 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant capability of the extract. The extract was found effective in inhibiting the growth of both E. coli and S. aureus at 5 μg/mL concentration. The methanolic extract was also found to scavenge DPPH radicals. Although the extract is found effective in the present study, however, further research is required to evaluate the biological activity in higher experimental models.