Antioxidant, Nitric Oxide Scavenging and Antimicrobial Activities of Bauhinia variegata And Sarcostemma acidum

Abstract

The demand for discovering alternatives to chemical-based antimicrobial and antioxidant agents that are not only potentially effective but also safe for human consumption and derived from natural sources is steadily increasing. The primary objective of this study is to explore the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Bauhinia Variegata and Sarcostemma Acidum from the leaf and stem extracts respectively, as well as to quantify their tannin and phenolic content. To assess potential antioxidant attributes, the extracts were evaluated for their ability to scavenge nitric oxide (NO) radicals. Additionally, the antibacterial efficacy of these extracts was investigated against various Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using different concentrations. Both the leaf extract of Bauhinia Variegata and the stem extract of Sarcostemma Acidum exhibited notable antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms. Furthermore, the results indicate that these plant extracts possess excellent natural antioxidant and antibacterial properties, suggesting their suitability for applications in materials requiring antioxidant and antibacterial attributes while ensuring safety.