Medicinal activities of the leaves of Musa sapientum var. sylvesteris in vitro

This study is to investigate the medicinal value of methanolic extract of the leaves of Musa sapientum var. sylvesteris in Bangladesh. Methods: Several biochemical assays, thin layer chormatogarphy and ultra-violet spectroscopy were used to detect the presence of various types of compounds in this extract. Antioxidant effects were measured by DPPH scavenging assay, total reducing assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Receptor binding activities and hydrogen peroxide induced hemolysis assay were performed by hemagglutination assay and hemolysis assay using erythrocytes. Disk diffusion assay was performed to show the antibacterial effect of the extract. Results: Methanolic extract of the leaves showed antioxidant and antibacterial activity in vitro. The extract showed hemaglutination inhibition activities and hydrogen peroxide induced hemolysis inhibition activity of human red blood cells. Conclusion:Musa sapientum var. sylvesteris can be an useful medicinal plant.

Biochemical investigation and biological evaluation of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbortristis in vitro

Objective: Nyctanthes arbortristis is a common plant in Bangladesh. The objective of our research was to biochemical and biological analysis of the methanolic extract of the dried leaves of Nyctanthesarbortristis found in Bangladesh. Methods: We investigated the presence of polyphenols, flavanoids and other types of compounds by thin layer chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy analysis. We performed antioxidant assay by colorimetric methods. We investigated antibacterial assay by disk diffusion method. Cell surface receptor binding assay was performed by hemagglutination inhibition assay and hemolysis assay. Results: Methanolic extract of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbortristis contains flavanoids and other biologically active compounds. The extract showed antioxidant, peroxide scavenging and total reducing activity. The extract also showed antibacterial activities against several strains of bacteria. It also showed hemaglutination inhibition activities and hydrogen peroxide induced hemolysis inhibition activity in human blood cells. Conclusions: Therefore, Nyctanthes arbortristis may be considered as a plant of various health benefits.