Antibacterial, anti-glucosidase, and antioxidant activities of selected highland ferns of Malaysia

Abstract

BackgroundFerns contain natural products with potential therapeutic applications. Current knowledge of the pharmacological properties of ferns, specifically those growing at high altitudes, is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical contents as well as antibacterial, anti-glucosidase, and antioxidant activities of four highland ferns in Malaysia.ResultsAqueous extracts of the leaves and rhizomes of Cyathea latebrosa, Dicranopteris curranii, Gleichenia truncata, and Phymatopteris triloba were analysed. P. triloba leaf extract had the highest contents of total flavonoids (118.6 mg/g dry matter), hydroxycinnamic acids (69.7 mg/g dry matter), and proanthocyanidins (29.4 mg/g dry matter). P. triloba leaf and rhizome extracts as well as G. truncata leaf extract inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. P. triloba leaf extract produced a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.78 mg dry matter/mL when tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is 2.5-fold higher than that of ampicillin. Among all extracts, P. triloba leaf extract had the highest anti-glucosidase activity (EC50 = 56 μg dry matter/mL) and also the highest antioxidant potential based on DPPH radical scavenging and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assays. Antioxidant activities of both the leaf and rhizome extracts correlated positively with total flavonoid and hydroxycinnamic acid contents (R2 = 0.80–0.95). On the other hand, anti-glucosidase activity correlated with total proanthocyanidin contents in both the leaf and rhizome extracts (R2 = 0.62–0.84).ConclusionsIn conclusion, highland ferns are potential sources of antibacterial agents, glucosidase inhibitors, and antioxidants.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-54-55) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activity of Solvent Extracts and Fractions of <i>Typha domingensis</i> (Typhaceae) Fruit

“…This concurs with previous reports of correlations between DPPH scavenging activity and TP and THA contents in other plants [13][14][15]. Positive correlations between DPPH scavenging activity and TPro were also reported for rhizome extracts of highland ferns [14].…”

“…This concurs with previous reports of correlations between DPPH scavenging activity and TP and THA contents in other plants [13][14][15]. Positive correlations between DPPH scavenging activity and TPro were also reported for rhizome extracts of highland ferns [14]. When previously screening hot water extracts of T. domingensis fruit and flowers for antiglucosidase and antioxidant activity, we found the highest activities in the fruit extract, which also had the highest TPro content [6].…”

“…In this study, the antiglucosidase activity of T. domingensis fruit extracts and fractions correlated more strongly with TPro content and weakly with THA content. Likewise, in highland ferns, THA content was either less strongly or not correlated to antiglucosidase activity when compared with TPro content [14]. Taking into account our current results and reported evidence in the literature, TPro of T. domingensis fruit is a promising source of both glucosidase inhibitors and radical scavengers.…”

Cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity and phenolic content of eight fern species, from north of Iran

“…13 A broad range of human diseases and pathological conditions are associated with free radical damage. Numerous studies have also established the relationships between consumption of antioxidant-rich food and prevention of human diseases.…”

“…Ferns contain several classes of natural compounds with potential medicinal applications, but scientific knowledge of the phytoconstituents of these plants is limited. 13 Flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenes and polysaccharides are the isolated classes of constituents from fern species in the literature.…”