Ethnopharmacological Validation Of Streblus Asper Lour. (Family: Moraceae) Used In The Traditional Therapeutic Of Assam

Abstract

Streblus asper is a well-known ethnomedicinal plant extensively used in traditional healthcare systems of India and Southeast Asia. The present study aimed to quantitatively evaluate key phytochemicals and assess the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of aqueous leaf and branch extracts of S. asper. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of high levels of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins in both extracts, with leaf extracts showing significantly higher concentrations of phenols (87.41 ± 0.839 µg/mg), flavonoids (84.64 ± 0.979 µg/mg), and tannins (83.91 ± 0.464 µg/mg) compared to branches. Antioxidant activity evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay showed notable activity in leaf (55.05 ± 0.467%) and branch (45.86 ± 0.664%) extracts, indicating strong free radical scavenging potential. Antibacterial activity assays demonstrated that both extracts were effective against Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis, with leaf extracts exhibiting higher inhibitory effects. Notably, this study reports, for the first time, the antibacterial activity of S. asper against B. cereus and B. thuringiensis. The observed bioactivities are attributed to the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and saponins, which are recognized as plant-derived antimicrobial substances. The findings provide quantitative scientific validation of the traditional medicinal uses of S. asper and highlight its potential as a natural source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.