Email this article 
Phytochemicals, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Properties of Blumea balsamifera and Graptophyllum pictum Ethanol Extracts
Abstract
Natural products are an important source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Blumea balsamifera and Graptophyllum pictum are two medicinal plants traditionally used in Southeast Asia, yet their comparative phytochemical content and synergistic biological activities have not been fully explored. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial potential of ethanol extracts of B. balsamifera and G. pictum, both individually and in combination. Phytochemical quantification was performed for flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, while antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Results showed that B. balsamifera contained higher levels of flavonoids (5315.67 mg/100 g), tannins (5299.07 mg/100 g), and phenolics (4637.04 mg/100 g) compared to G. pictum. Both extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 73.73 ± 10.49 ppm (B. balsamifera) and 97.44 ± 1.68 ppm (G. pictum), indicating high radical scavenging capacity. B. balsamifera showed moderate antibacterial activity (9.83 ± 0.25 mm), while G. pictum showed no inhibition. Interestingly, the combination of extracts produced larger inhibition zones (up to 16.3 ± 0.23 mm at a 1:1 ratio), indicating synergistic or additive effects. These activities are likely driven by the combined mechanisms of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, including radical scavenging, metal chelation, protein precipitation, and membrane disruption. In conclusion, the findings highlight the potential of B. balsamifera and G. pictum, particularly in combination, as promising natural sources of multifunctional antioxidant and antibacterial agents. Further studies on compound isolation and formulation development are warranted to support their application in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Atanasov, A. G., Zotchev, S. B., Dirsch, V. M., Orhan, I. E., Banach, M., Rollinger, J. M., . . . Supuran, C. T. (2021). Natural products in drug discovery: advances and opportunities. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 20(3), 200-216. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41573-020-00114-z
Diah, D., Resti Gradia, D., Wulan, M., & Achadiyani. (2023). Preliminary Exploration of Traditional Medicine Formulas as A Basis of Effort and Support Toward Traditional Medicines Developing Use and Implementation in The Government Healthcare Program. Pharmacognosy Journal, 15(3).
Dikp?nar, T., & Süzgeç-Selçuk, S. (2020). Antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants containing phenolic compounds. Natural Products Journal, 10(5), 514-534. doi:https://doi.org/10.2174/2210315510666191227150222
Fan, D., Li, L., Wang, K., Hu, Y., Huang, J., Zhou, C., . . . Zhang, W. (2022). Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Blumea balsamifera. China Pharmacy, 33(10), 1274-1280. doi:https://doi.org/10.6039/j.issn.1001-0408.2022.10.20
Gezici, S., & ?ekero?lu, N. (2019). Current perspectives in the application of medicinal plants against cancer: Novel therapeutic agents. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 19(1), 101-111. doi:https://doi.org/10.2174/1871520619666181224121004
Hanafiah, M., & Usman, S. (2022). Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds of Blumea balsamifera leaf extracts from South Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas, 23(3), 1346-1354. doi:https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d230319
Huang, J., Zaynab, M., Sharif, Y., Khan, J., Al-Yahyai, R., Sadder, M., . . . Li, S. (2024). Tannins as antimicrobial agents: Understanding toxic effects on pathogens. Toxicon, 247, 107812. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107812
Ismail, N. A., Matawali, A., Kanak, F. A., Lee, P. C., How, S. E., Goh, L. P. W., & Gansau, J. A. (2022). Antimicrobial activities and phytochemical properties of Blumea balsamifera against pathogenic microorganisms. J Med Life, 15(8), 951-954. doi:https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2021-0296
Jiangseubchatveera, N., Liawruangrath, S., Teerawutgulrag, A., Santiarworn, D., Pyne, S., & Liawruangrath, B. (2024). Phytochemical screening, phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. Retrieved from https://ro.uow.edu.au/articles/journal_contribution/Phytochemical_screening_phenolic_and_flavonoid_contents_antioxidant_and_cytotoxic_activities_of_Graptophyllum_pictum_L_Griff/27714753
Kanedi, M., Widodo, S., Fitri, A., Handayani, K., & Setiawan, W. A. (2021). Antibacterial activity of leaf extract of caricature plant (Graptophyllum pictum L.) against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, 6(2), 01-03. Retrieved from http://repository.lppm.unila.ac.id/35390/1/84.%20Antibacterial%20of%20Caricature%20plant.pdf
Makkiyah, F., Rahmi, E. P., Revina, R., Susantiningsih, T., & Setyaningsih, Y. (2021). Graptophyllum pictum (l.) griff. (syn: Justicia picta linn.) and its effectiveness: A well-known indonesian plant. Pharmacognosy Journal, 13(3), 835-838. doi:https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2021.13.106
Makkiyah, F. A., Rahmi, E. P., Arista, R. A., Marliani, N., & Nurcholis, W. (2024). Antioxidant potential and polyphenol content in different parts of Graptophyllum pictum extracts. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 15(2), 111-116. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/japtr.japtr_325_23
Miklasi?ska-Majdanik, M., K?pa, M., Wojtyczka, R. D., Idzik, D., & W?sik, T. J. (2018). Phenolic Compounds Diminish Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus Aureus Clinical Strains. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 15(10). doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102321
Olchowik-Grabarek, E., S?kowski, S., Kwiatek, A., P?aczkiewicz, J., Abdulladjanova, N., Shlyonsky, V., . . . Zamaraeva, M. (2022). The Structural Changes in the Membranes of Staphylococcus aureus Caused by Hydrolysable Tannins Witness Their Antibacterial Activity. Membranes, 12(11), 1124. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/11/1124
Oliveira, H., Pérez-Gregorio, R., Fernandes, I., Soares, S., Freitas, V., & Dias, R. (2023). New trends from plant secondary metabolism in the pharmaceutical industry. In Natural Secondary Metabolites: From Nature, Through Science, to Industry (pp. 779-822): Springer International Publishing.
Parcheta, M., ?wis?ocka, R., Orzechowska, S., Akimowicz, M., Choi?ska, R., & Lewandowski, W. (2021). Recent Developments in Effective Antioxidants: The Structure and Antioxidant Properties. Materials, 14(8), 1984. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/8/1984
Priyanto, J. A., Prastya, M. E., Minarti, M., & Permatasari, V. (2024a). Pharmaceutical Properties and Phytochemical Profile of Extract Derived from Purple Leaf Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 21(2), 133-140. doi:https://doi.org/10.4274/tjps.galenos.2023.95690
Priyanto, J. A., Prastya, M. E., Minarti, M., & Permatasari, V. (2024b). Pharmaceutical Properties and Phytochemical Profile of Extract Derived from Purple Leaf Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. Turk J Pharm Sci, 21(2), 133-140. doi:https://doi.org/10.4274/tjps.galenos.2023.95690
Putra, I. M. W. A., Fakhrudin, N., Kusumawati, I. G. A. W., Nurrochmad, A., & Wahyuono, S. (2022). Antioxidant properties of extract combination of Coccinia grandis and Blumea balsamifera: An in vitro synergistic effect. J Herbmed Pharmacol, 11(1), 55-62. doi:https://doi.org/10.34172/jhp.2022.06
Sakanaka, S., Tachibana, Y., & Okada, Y. (2005). Preparation and antioxidant properties of extracts of Japanese persimmon leaf tea (kakinoha-cha). Food Chemistry, 89(4), 569-575. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.03.013
Shamsudin, N. F., Ahmed, Q. U., Mahmood, S., Ali Shah, S. A., Khatib, A., Mukhtar, S., . . . Zakaria, Z. A. (2022). Antibacterial Effects of Flavonoids and Their Structure-Activity Relationship Study: A Comparative Interpretation. Molecules, 27(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041149
Singh, R., Verma, P., & Singh, G. (2012). Total phenolic, flavonoids and tannin contents in different extracts of Artemisia absinthium. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, 1, 101-104. doi:https://doi.org/10.5455/jice.20120525014326
Suhardi. (1997). Analisis senyawa polifenol produk buah-buahan dan sayuran (Vol. 3). Yogyakarta: Lab. Kimia-Biokimia Pengolahan Fakultas Teknologi Pertanian Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Szczurek, A. (2021). Perspectives on Tannins. Biomolecules, 11(3), 442. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/3/442
Tumilaar, S. G., Hardianto, A., Dohi, H., & Kurnia, D. (2024). A Comprehensive Review of Free Radicals, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants: Overview, Clinical Applications, Global Perspectives, Future Directions, and Mechanisms of Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoid Compounds. Journal of Chemistry, 2024(1), 5594386. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5594386
Ulriksen, E. S., Butt, H. S., Ohrvik, A., Blakeney, R. A., Kool, A., Wangensteen, H., . . . Inngjerdingen, K. T. (2022). The discovery of novel immunomodulatory medicinal plants by combination of historical text reviews and immunological screening assays. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 296. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115402
Widhiantara, I. G., & Jawi, I. M. (2021). Phytochemical composition and health properties of Sembung plant (Blumea balsamifera): A review. Veterinary World, 14(5), 1185-1196. doi:https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.1185-1196
Wijaya, M. D., Surya, P. R. A., Indraningrat, A. A. G., & Udiyani, D. P. C. (2025). Antioxidant Property of Methanol Extract of Sonneratia alba Mangrove Leaves from Bali-Indonesia. Paper presented at the The 3rd Warmadewa International Conference on Science, Technology, and Humanity (WICSTH), Denpasar-Bali, Indonesia.
Yeshi, K., Crayn, D., Ritmejeryt?, E., & Wangchuk, P. (2022). Plant Secondary Metabolites Produced in Response to Abiotic Stresses Has Potential Application in Pharmaceutical Product Development. Molecules, 27(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010313
Zhang, L., Zhang, H., Tang, L., Hu, X., & Xu, M. (2022). Isolation, Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, Metal-Chelating Activity, and Protein-Precipitating Capacity of Condensed Tannins from Plum (Prunus salicina) Fruit. Antioxidants, 11(4), 714. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/4/714
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14421/biomedich.2026.152.2081-2087
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Anak Agung Ngurah Gde Agung Surya Jayadewata, Evellyne Natania, Ni Luh Putu Puspita Ningrum, Gusti Ayu Mas Diah Paramitha, Made Satya Widiartha Gunarta, Pande Putu Gde Bagus Permana Wiraputra, Ni Luh Putu Eka Kartika Sari, Anak Agung Gede Indraningrat, Made Dharmesti Wijaya
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry |
|
