Evaluation of anti-oxidative, antimicrobial and anti-diabetic potential of Adiantum venustum and identification of its phytochemicals through GC-MS

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to explore antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-diabetic properties of the fern Adiantum venustum. The TPC [total phenolic content] of methanolic extract of the plant was 247.95+/-0.0007micro g of Gallic acid equivalents per gram of dried extract [mg GAE/g]. The highest TPC was in n-butanolic fraction, which was 981.45+/-0.1562mg GAE/g. Hexane fraction showed lowest TPC [256.95+/-0.0420mg GAE/g]. Ethyl acetate fraction exhibited highest total flavonoid content [TFC], i.e., 62.0+/-0.050mg of Rutin equivalents per gram of sample. DPPH [1,1- diphenyl-2- picryl hydrazyl] radical scavenging activity of the plant was significant. n-Butanolic fraction was most potent with IC[50]being 1.06mg/mL. The IC[50]of methanolic extract was 1.50mg/mL, that of aqueous fraction was 2.51 mg/mL, and that of chloroform fraction was 2.65mg/mL. Antibacterial potential of the fern was tested against two Grampositive bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli and two Gram-negative bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. n-Butanolic fraction showed highest zone of inhibition [ZOI, 25.13+/-1.237 mm] against P. aeruginosa. Ethyl acetate fraction was most active [ZOI, 15.75+/-1.060 mm] against S. aureus. Against E. coli, aqueous and n-butanolic fractions were most active [ZOI, 14.75+/-0.353 and 14.50+/-0.707mm, respectively]. Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of methanolic extract against B. subtilis was as low as 1.98mg/mL. The hexane fraction was least toxic against all the fractions. The plant displayed significant alpha-amylase inhibitory activity. Chloroform fraction was most effective with lowest IC[50][1.10mg/mL] followed by ethyl acetate fraction [1.92mg/mL]. A. venustum is rich in phenolics and has substantial antioxidant, antimicrobial and alpha-amylase inhibitory potential