An examination of medicinal potential of Pneumatopteris callosa: Phytochemical screening, antibacterial, and antioxidant activity

Abstract

Ferns have been used as medicinal plants in many tribes and communities all over the world. Nevertheless, some of them are less studied and rarely explored. Herein, we conducted the preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluated the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Pneumatopteris callosa, a fern species used by Balinese community for medicinal purpose. Tannins, alkaloids, triterpernoids, flavonoids, and reducing sugar were present in the extract. Moreover, the extract exhibit antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria Eschericia coli and Pseudomonas sp and Gram-positive Bacteria Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. The extract also shows the moderate DPPH free radical scavenging activity. These results validate the use of Pneumatopteris callosa as a medicinal plant.