Phytoconstituents, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Livistona chinensis (Jacquin), Saribus rotundifolius (Lam.) Blume and Areca catechu Linnaeus Nuts

Abstract

Livistona chinensis, Saribus rotundifolius and Areca catechu are palms primarily cultivated for ornamental purposes and also utilized in herbal remedies. The chemical and biological studies were conducted using standard procedures. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenes, de-oxy sugars, anthraquinones, phenols, flavonoids and phlobatannins in varying amounts. The total phenolics content ranged from 52.0-245.0 mg/g, DPPH radical inhibition (87.30-90.55%, 2.0 mg/ml), iron chelating activity (27.3-65.0%, 0.5 mg/ml), hydrogen peroxide scavenging (93.18-98.46%, 0.5 mg/ml), and molybdate ion reduction capacity (15.93-58.30%, 0.5 mg/ml). L. chinensis extract showed notable antimicrobial activity against B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans (MIC = 75-100 µg/ml) while A. catechu and S. rotundifolius extracts were potent against all test pathogens (75-100 µg/ml), except S. typhi (150 µg/ml). However, no appreciable cytotoxic effects on human cervical (HeLa), lung (H460), breast (MCF-7) and prostate (PC-3) cancer cells at 30 µg/mL was observed for the extracts. The notable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the palm extracts are a function of their inherent bioactive constituents and a potential source of medicinally useful compounds. The chemical and biological assessment of S. rotundifolius palm nuts is reported for the first time.