OBJECTIVETo test the antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer and antibacterial activities along with phytochemicals of Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham.

METHODSThe antibacterial activity was determined by agar well diffusion method. The antioxidant activity was determined by standard assay. The antidiabetic activity was evaluated by α-glucosidase inhibition assay and in vivo anticancer property was determined against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss Albino mice. Further partial characterization of the methanol extracts was carried out by thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform-infra red spectrum spectral analysis.

RESULTSFour solvent extracts (acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous) of leaf and bark possess strong antioxidant properties. In vivo anticancer activity of methanol extract leaf indicated positive activity showing 34% inhibition against EAC cells in Swiss Albino mice. All extracts exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner indicating presence of promising antidiabetic properties. The extracts possess strong antibacterial activity against the selected pathogenic bacteria (minimal inhibitory concentration ranging from 1.25-5.00 mg/mL). The partial characterization of the methanol extracts of leaf and bark revealed the presence of phenolics as the lead compound responsible for studied bioactivities of the plant extracts.

CONCLUSIONSonneratia apetala extracts have potent antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer properties which can be further exploited for its pharmaceutical applications.