Abstract:
Maesa indica (Roxb.) A.DC (Myrsinaceae) is a small tree or a large shrub. The present study aimed to estimate major and minor elements in powdered leaf and to determine antibacterial and radical scavenging activity of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of leaf of M. indica. The elements in leaf powder were estimated using ICP-OES technique after microwave digestion. Antibacterial activity of solvent extracts was performed by Agar well diffusion assay. Radical scavenging effect of solvent extracts was determined by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of solvent extracts was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and Aluminium chloride colorimetric estimation method respectively. Among major elements, the content calcium and sodium was highest and least respectively. In case of minor elements, the content of iron and chromium was highest and least respectively. The solvent extracts showed inhibitory potential against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria but to a varied extent. All solvent extracts were found to scavenge both DPPH and ABTS radicals. Scavenging effect was superior in case of methanol extract followed by ethyl acetate, chloroform and petroleum ether extracts. The content of total phenolics as well as total flavonoids was higher in case of methanol extract than others. A direct correlation was observed between the phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts and the radical scavenging potential of extracts.

Keywords: Maesa indica, ICP-OES, Agar Well Diffusion, DPPH, ABTS, Total Phenolic, Flavonoids.