SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYTOCONSTITUENTS ISOLATED FROM A RARE MANGROVE AEGIALITIS ROTUNDIFOLIA ROXB., LEAVES AND EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THE CRUDE EXTRACT

Objective: The aim of the study is to isolate and characterize the phytochemicals from the leaves of a rare and unexplored mangrove Aegialitis rotundifolia and evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the crude extract. Methods: The dried powdered plant material was extracted with ethanol, and the ethanol extract obtained was dissolved in distilled water and partitioned using n-hexane first and then ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to column chromatography for isolation of phytocompounds. The isolated compounds were characterized using infrared (IR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), mass spectroscopy, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts was performed using the well diffusion method against four bacterial strains and two fungal strains. Results: Three pure compounds were isolated from the leaves of Aegialitis rotundifolia, namely, 3,4-dimethyl benzoic acid, 3’-methoxy-4’-hydroxy-flavan-3-ol, and 3’,7-dimethoxy-dimethyl-4’,3,5-trihydroxy flavone which were confirmed by spectroscopic studies. Strong antibacterial activity was shown by the test extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, whereas Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus showed average and nil activity, respectively. The antifungal activity of the test extract was found to be strong for both the fungal strains, namely, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Conclusion: The results of the present study show that the isolated compounds were confirmed to be 3,4-dimethyl benzoic acid, 3’-methoxy-4’- hydroxy-flavan-3-ol, and 3’,7-dimethoxy-dimethyl-4’,3,5-trihydroxy flavone and the test extracts showed potent antimicrobial activity for all the bacterial and fungal strains except E. coli and B. cereus which showed average and nil activity, respectively.

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING USING LC-Q-TOF-MS ANALYSIS AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF A RARE SALT-SECRETING MANGROVE AEGIALITIS ROTUNDIFOLIA ROXB. LEAVES EXTRACT

Objective: The present work deals with the qualitative study of the phytoconstituents present in Aegialitis rotundifolia Roxb., ethanolic leaves extract and evaluate its antioxidant properties in vitro. Methods: The qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extract was performed first using preliminary phytochemical tests and then by liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS). The antioxidant properties were investigated comprehensively using seven in vitro models viz., 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, nitric oxide (NO) scavenging, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging, superoxide (SOD) radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation (LPO) assay, reducing power (RP), and total antioxidant activity. Results: The preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of several important phytochemical groups whereas the LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis detected 25 phytoconstituents in the extract mostly belonging to flavonoids and alkaloids. The test extract showed strong dose-dependent antioxidant activity in all the seven in vitro models, however, the activity of the extracts was slightly lower compared to the reference standard ascorbic acid. Conclusion: The test extract showed strong antioxidant properties which could be possibly due to the phytoconstituents detected in the extract.

Reproductive ecology of Aegialitis rotundifolia Roxb., A crypto-viviparous mangrove plant species in Krishna mangrove forest, Andra Pradesh

Aegialitis rotundifolia is a hermaphroditic, self-compatible species with mixed breeding system. The floral characters indicate melittophilous pollination syndrome. Field studies indicate this species is melittophilous but anemophily also occurs due to its seaward occurrence where high winds usually prevail. Autogamy and allogamy are functional, and these modes indicate a “fail-safe” strategy for reproductive assurance when con-specifics do not occur nearby. Natural fruit set rate is 55-61%. The seed produces seedling within the fruit pericarp while it is still attached to the parent plant. Seedling or seed dispersal and establishment occurs through self-planting and stranding strategies.