Chemical Composition of Essential Oil and In Vitro Biological Activities of Dryopteris marginalis L

Introduction: Dryopteris marginalis L. is a local plant in Bangladesh which is widely used as folk medicine. Materials and Methods: In this study, the chemical composition of essential oil of D. marginalis L. as well as the antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity and total phenolic content of various organic extracts were analyzed. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis was used to identify the chemical compositions. The antibacterial activity of different extracts of Dryopteris marginalis was examined against three gram-negative bacteria and two gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial activity of different extracts was investigated using the disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration showing important antibacterial activity and was measured by using the broth dilution method. Results: The antioxidant activity was determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and superoxide radical scavenging assay. The total phenolic portion of the extracts was ascertained by Folin-Ciocalteu in an alkaline medium. Twenty-two volatile compounds were identified from the essential oil. The methanol extract exhibited a significant inhibitory effect which was close to the value of standard antibiotic (Streptomycin). The zones of inhibition of different organic extracts against the tested bacteria were found in the range of (7-15) mm and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were recorded (15.62-1000) μg/ml. The antioxidant activity of D. marginalis was (82.13+1.2) % and (59.21+0.45) % highest activity with DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assay, respectively. Conclusion: The methanol extract showed the highest (147.43+3.1) mg/g GAE of total phenolic content. The extracts and essential oil of D. marginalis showing strong antibacterial activity can be considered as a potential source of natural medicine and the ingredient of modern therapeutic agents.