Phytochemical and Biological Evaluation of MeOH Extract of Casuarina equisetifolia (Linn.) Leaves

Aims: The present study was aimed at investigating the phytoconstituents in order to correlate the folkloric claims with the bioactive compounds present in Casuarina equisetifolia. Also evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic property of Casuarina equisetifolia.

Methodology: In the present study, the leaf extracts were investigated for different phytochemical groups using specified reagents. Antioxidant activity by following DPPH free radical scavenging study, antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method and cytotoxic activity by Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay procedures.

Results: The qualitative phytochemical screening revealed that the extract contains alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, steroids, etc. The extract showed strong antioxidant activity in DPPH free radical scavenging study (IC50: 25.89μg/mL), while, it showed moderate cytotoxic activity in Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay study (LC50: 77.98μg/mL). It also showed mild antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

Conclusion: The present study tends to suggest the antioxidant, cytotoxic and mild antibacterial activity of MeOH extract of Casuarina equisetifolia.