Biological evaluation of some important medicinal plants from Poonch valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

To estimate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antifungal, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities of three important medicinal plants of Poonch valley, Azad Kashmir Pakistan.

Phytochemicals were investigated for both qualitative (phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins) and quantitative (total phenolic and flavonoid contents) analysis of plant extracts prepared in ethanol, ethyl acetate and benzene. Moreover, antioxidant potential was investigated by screening botanical extracts against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay, phosphomolybdenum and total reducing power assay. While, disc diffusion method was used for determination of antifungal potential of all extracts against four pathogenic strains. Furthermore, brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay was conducted for cytotoxic potential and radish seed germination assay was carried out for estimation of allelopathic potential of plant extracts.

Phytochemical evaluation showed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins in almost all plants. In addition to significant antioxidant potential, Rubia cordifolia (ethanolic extract) revealed highest amount of phenolics and flavonoids. The said plant also exhibited good cytotoxic activity. Among plant extracts highest antifungal activity and allelopathic potential was recorded by Oxalis latifolia (ethyl acetate extract). Ethanol and ethyl acetate were observed to be the best choice of solvents. The best solvents-based results were obtained by Ethanol followed by Ethyl acetate and Benzene.

For further studies, Rubia cordifolia and Oxalis latifolia are the most promising medicinal plants of Poonch valley, Azad Kashmir Pakistan at molecular level in order to isolate the compounds concerning with pronounced activities.