Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial properties in Different Concentrations of Physalis alkekengi L. extract

With the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and their side effects, the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of bacterial infections is increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of different concentrations of methanolic extract of Physalis alkekngi. For this purpose, the calyx and fruit of the P. alkekengi L. were collected from an area near the city of Tonekabon in the summer of 2019 from a height of 120 meters and the antimicrobial activity of the extracts on pathogenic bacteria was determined by disk diffusion methods, MIC, and MBC. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were measured by folin-ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. In addition, total anthocyanin was measured by spectrophotometry as well as antioxidant activity of extract using DPPH method. Based on the results, the highest total phenol content at a concentration 50 mg-1 ml of calyx extract was 32.92±1.738 mgEGA g-1 DW. Also, the content of flavonoid and anthocyanin compounds in the calyx extract was more than that of the fruit extract. Based on the results of antioxidant activity also showed  that the highest DPPH radical inhibitory effect were obtained at concentrations of 100 and 150 mg/ml of calyx extract 51.43% and 51.58%, respectively. In addition, calyx and fruit extracts showed significant inhibitory activity against the studied bacteria as the highest inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus was obtained at a concentration of 1000 mg -1ml of calyx and fruit extracts. The results of this study indicated that the calyx and fruit extracts of P. alkekengi are rich in antioxidant compounds, especially phenolic compounds, and the antimicrobial activity of the extracts showed a significant positive correlation with total phenol content. Therefore, the antimicrobial properties of the calyx and fruit extracts may be attributed to their phenolic compounds and these extracts can be recommended for medicinal applications.