Phytochemical Screening and Bioactive Potential of Pod Seed Extracts of Leucaena leucocephala Linn

Background: Free radicals generated during injury lead to the development of various diseases such as diabetes, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. Antioxidants present in plants can prevent the deleterious effect of these free radicals. Among various plants, Leucaena leucocephala is a mimosoid, fast‑growing, nitrogen‑fixing small tree having pods with various medicinal properties. Objective: Hence, the present study was designed to determine the bioactive potential of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of L. leucocephala pod seeds. Materials and Methods: We have assessed the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the extract. In addition, the presence of various metabolites and other compounds was also evaluated though gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS) analysis. Results: The results indicated that the methanol extract had relatively higher antibacterial and antioxidant properties than ethanol extract. Furthermore, GC‑MS data revealed the presence of various active constituents in the methanolic extract. Conclusion: Thus, the bioactive potential of various compounds present in methanol extracts of plant parts could be responsible for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties.