Phytochemical Insights into Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials Across Five Indian Medicinal Plants

Background: Traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda use plant extracts; Indian medicinal plants like Alternanthera sessilis, Cassia auriculata, Murraya koenigii, Celastrus paniculatus, and Moringa concanensis are rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, known for antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, prompting scientific validation of their traditional use and understanding their pharmacological properties. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant qualities of hydroalcoholic extracts from the aforementioned Indian medicinal plants, employing Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE) for enhanced extraction efficiency. The research seeks to establish connections between the phytochemical compositions and bioactivities of the extracts through comprehensive analyses. Materials and Methods: The study involves the characterization of physical properties, phytochemical screening, and quantitative assessment of total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content in the hydroalcoholic extracts. Antioxidant activities are evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, as well as the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. The antimicrobial potential against various pathogens is assessed using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) calculation method. Results: The study reveals a diverse array of bioactive compounds present in the hydroalcoholic extracts, including phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins. Cassia auriculata and Celastrus paniculatus extracts exhibit notable antioxidant activity, supported by high levels of total phenolic and tannin content. Cassia auriculata demonstrates consistent strong scavenging action in both DPPH and ABTS assays. Alternanthera sessilis, Cassia auriculata, and Celastrus paniculatus show significant efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa during antimicrobial testing. Conclusion: This investigation establishes correlations between the phytochemical compositions and the antimicrobial/antioxidant activities of hydroalcoholic extracts from Indian medicinal plants. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the medicinal properties of these plants and underscore the potential of Cassia auriculata and Celastrus paniculatus extracts as natural antioxidants. Such insights hold promise for future advancements in medicinal research and the development of pharmaceuticals derived from natural sources.