Evaluation of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antidiabetic Potential of Alpinia galanga and Eryngium foetidum Plants of Manipur (India)

Background: Alpinia galanga and Eryngium foetidum are two commonly used traditional aromatic plants of Manipur which is traditionally used in Aroma therapy. Rationale of pharmacological potentials of these plants are still unclear, even if few preliminary studies are available in literature for individual plants. Objective: This study was conducted for comparative assessment of antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic potential of A. galanga and E. foetidum. Materials and Methods: The rhizome of A. galanga and leaf of E. foetidum were extracted in methanol, ethanol and water. Phytochemicals of each extracts of Alpinia galanga and Eryngium foetidum were analyzed. The antioxidant potential of all the extracts was assessed by measuring total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and free radical scavenging potential was assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrilhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, antibacterial activity was assessed against various pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria in vitro by Kirby-Bauer agar well diffusion method and antidiabetic activity was assessed by α-amylase inhibition. Results: Both the plant showed presence of all the tested phytochemicals. It was observed that methanolic extracts of both the plants have higher phenolic content than ethanolic and aqueous extracts, however ethanolic extracts E. foetidum shows higher flavonoid contents. Both the plant shows similar DPPH scavenging and metal chelating activity. It was also observed that the antidiabetic potential of A. galanga is greater than E. foetidum. The methanolic and ethanolic extracts of the plants shows quite similar and good antibacterial potential than the aqueous extracts. Conclusion: The present study suggests that both Alpinia galanga and Eryngium foetidum plants of Manipur could be used as herbal remedies for the treatment of diabetes mellitus as well as managing oxidative stress and oxidative stress related disorders.