Abstract
A Gas Chromatography and Maas Spectroscopy method was developed and validated for determination and identification of alpha-humulene in a traditional medicinal herb Didymocarpous pediceliatus R. Br. (DP) (Gesneriaceae) and its poly herbal formulation, Safoof-e-pathar phori (SPP) including their essential oil. Hydrodistillation method were used for the isolation of essential oils from the leaves of DP and SPP herbal formulation. The proposed analysis method was found to be linear r(2) = 0.999 in a wide concentration range (0.1-1000 mu gmL(-1)), with good precision (RSD < 2.0%). Antimicrobial activity of alpha-humulene, DP and SPP oil was assessed by using agar well diffusion method against clinically important Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. alpha-Humulene was found to be more active in contrast to Gram-negative bacteria while DP oil and SPP oil were exhibited maximum inhibition against fungal strains. Antioxidant activity of alpha-humulene, DP oil and SPP oil were determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) 96 well plate method, which showed antioxidant activity in the following order: standard ascorbic acid (DPPH FRS50 = 2.40 mu g) > DP oil (DPPH FRS50 = 3.68 mu g) > SPP oil (DPPH FRS50 = 12.54 mu g) > and alpha-humulene (DPPH FRS50 = 36.19 mu g).