ARCHIVES
VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Phytochemical profiling and evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of selected tribal medicinal plants
Authors
Shashi Shekhar, Dr. Arpana Sharma
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been an important component of traditional
healthcare systems, particularly among tribal communities that utilize plant
resources for managing inflammation, microbial infections, wounds, and other
disorders. The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical
profile, antibacterial activity, and anti-inflammatory potential of five
traditionally used tribal medicinal plants, namely Mimosa pudica L., Azadirachta
indica A. Juss., Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. &
Thomson, Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult., and Calotropis procera
(Aiton) Dryand. Plant materials were collected, authenticated, shade dried, and
extracted using suitable solvents. Qualitative phytochemical screening
confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins,
and terpenoids in all selected plants. Quantitative estimation revealed
significant variation in bioactive constituents. The highest total phenolic
content was recorded in Azadirachta indica (86.42 ± 1.84 mg GAE/g
extract), followed by Tinospora cordifolia (78.36 ± 2.15 mg GAE/g
extract). The maximum total flavonoid content was observed in Mimosa pudica
(74.36 ± 1.62 mg QE/g extract), followed by Aerva lanata (68.52 ± 1.48
mg QE/g extract). The antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus
aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella
pneumoniae using the agar well diffusion method. Among the tested extracts,
Azadirachta indica showed the highest antibacterial activity with
inhibition zones of 18.6 ± 0.7 mm against S. aureus, 16.8 ± 0.6 mm
against E. coli, 15.5 ± 0.5 mm against P. aeruginosa, and 17.2 ±
0.6 mm against K. pneumoniae. The observed biological activities may be
attributed to the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids.
The study provides scientific validation of tribal medicinal knowledge and
highlights the potential of selected plants as promising sources of natural
antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.
Download
Pages:102-107
How to cite this article:
Shashi Shekhar, Dr. Arpana Sharma "Phytochemical profiling and evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of selected tribal medicinal plants". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 11, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 102-107
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.