Analysis of Phytoconstituents, Antioxidant and Anti-bacterial Properties of an Ethnobotanical Herb Cotula anthemoides L. Occurring in Purulia District of West Bengal, India

Background: Since antiquity, traditional healers use herbs for the treatment of various ailments. Cotula anthemoides L., an ethnobotanical herb, widely used by traditional healers of Purulia district, West Bengal, India for the treatment of skin ailments. Plants contain broad range of bioactive constituents which is mainly responsible for its versatile properties. Objectives: The objectives of the present study are to analyze the phytochemicals and evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the Aerial Part (AP) and underground Root Part (RT) of C. anthemoides. Materials and Methods: Total Phenol (TPC) and Flavonoid Contents (TFC) were estimated against Gallic acid and Quercetin. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Antibacterial properties were examined by well-diffusion method. Secondary metabolites and fatty acids were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), respectively. Results: Both aerial and root part exhibited effective zone of inhibition against gram +ve Staphylococcus aureus and gram –ve Escherichia coli bacteria. There is a positive correlation between total phenol and flavonoid content with free radical scavenging properties. Aerial part contains comparatively higher concentration of phenolic compounds which is verified by assessment of DPPH antioxidant properties. HPLC and LC-MS study revealed the presence of phenolic acids, phenol alcohols and flavonoids. The FA analysis identified the presence of saturated FAs in the range of C12 to C26 and unsaturated FAs of C16, C18, C20 and C22. Conclusion: Definite range of phenolic compounds beside with other bio active constituents in the herb keep up the ethnobotanical status done by local healers.