FT-IR coupled secondary metabolites profiling and biological activities of Neolamarckia cadamba leaves

Neolamarckia cadamba is a pharmacologically significant tropical tree, exploited for various biological studies due to its rich secondary metabolites. In the present investigation, comparison of pharmacological and biological studies of five different extracts of Neolamarckia cadamba leaves have been carried out. This is the first report of phytochemical studies of five different extracts, coupled with FT-IR spectroscopy. Methanol extract (NCLE-D) was found to be rich in secondary metabolites. This extract also showed higher phenolic (279.023 GAE/g extract) and flavonoid (1067.48 QE/g extract) contents. Ethyl acetate extract (NCLE-C) and NCLE-D showed significant free radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ 15.17 µg/mL and 16.12 µg/mL respectively compared to ascorbic acid (positive control) with IC₅₀ 5.22 µg/mL. NCLE-C exhibited antibacterial activity as well. These results suggest that Neolamarckia cadamba is capable of producing bioactive compounds especially from its leaves; hence, could be a valuable source of new drugs for treating diseases.