Extraction and evaluation of Hemiparasitic shrub of Scurrula ferruginea leaves: Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities

Abstract

Scurrula ferruginea (SF), a tropical obligate hemiparasitic shrub found on branches of dicotyledonous trees in Southeast Asia, has been used by indigenous people as a medicinal herb. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial, and lymphocyte proliferation of SF extracts and characterize their bioactive compounds.Leaves of Scurrula ferruginea were pulverized into powder followed by extraction method. Total phenolic content and total antioxidant activities were measured. Disc diffusion and well diffusion assays to investigate the antibacterial properties of the extracts against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The crude extract was shown to contain phenolic compounds and possessed antioxidant abilities. Preliminary investigations revealed the presence of long-chain alcohols, phytol (diterpene alcohol and a constituent of chlorophyll); squalene, (a triterpene and precursor to steroids); and lupeol (a triterpene) which may contribute to the biological activities of this plant. Aqueous extracts of SF (2.5 mg/disc) showed the highest inhibition for Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa by disk diffusion. The extracts (particularly organic solvents) were cytotoxic to primary human lymphocytes above 100 µg/ml. There were no effects on lymphocyte proliferation at lower concentrations. This study evaluates the leaves of ethyl acetate and aqueous fraction of SF showed the properties of potential antibacterial and antioxidative properties against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.