PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL EXPLORATION OF ERIOLAENA LUSHINGTONII DUNN LEAF EXTRACT

Abstract

Objectives: The rise of drug-resistant pathogens highlights the urgent need for new bioactive compounds from the medicinal plants. The endemic, plant Eriolaena lushingtonii (Malvaceae) is unexplored presently studied for its phytochemical and antimicrobial potential. Methods: Leaves were extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with solvents in increasing polarity (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hydroalcoholic). Extracts were qualitatively and quantitatively studied. Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of extracts were studies as per standard protocols. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, triterpenoids, phenols, steroids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, and phytosterols, with identification of sterols in the thin-layer chromatography profiling. The hydroalcoholic extract showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, with zone of inhibition compared to the standard Ampicillin and minimum inhibitory concentration at 200 μg/mL. Antifungal activity was also observed against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified 52 compounds, including notable bioactives such as linoliec acid, stigmasterol, plant phytol, and methyl linoleate, suggesting significant antimicrobial, anticancer, and antifungal potential. Conclusion: These findings support E. lushingtonii as a promising source for novel therapeutic agents for antimicrobial resistance with clinical validation.