Abstract

PHYTOCHEMISTRY, ANTIMICROBIAL, TOXICOLOGICAL STUDY AND ANTIULCER ACTIVITY OF ROOT AND STEM OF BUTEA MONOSPERMA

Shivani Gupta*, Dr. Vijay Nigam

ABSTRACT

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., commonly known as ―Flame of the Forest,‖ is a medicinally important plant traditionally used in Indian ethnomedicine for treating gastrointestinal disorders, infections, and inflammatory conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile, antimicrobial potential, toxicological safety, and antiulcer activity of root and stem extracts of B. monosperma. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic compounds. Quantitative estimation confirmed significant levels of total phenolics and flavonoids, correlating with antioxidant potential. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains as well as fungal pathogens using agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods, which demonstrated dose-dependent inhibitory effects. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies in rodents, conducted as per OECD guidelines, indicated no mortality or major behavioral alterations, establishing the safety profile of the extracts up to the tested doses. The antiulcer efficacy was assessed in standard experimental ulcer models, including ethanol- and pylorus-ligation–induced gastric ulceration in rats. Both ethanolic and aqueous extracts showed significant reduction in ulcer index, gastric secretion, and total acidity, while increasing gastric pH and percentage protection when compared to the control group. Histopathological analysis further confirmed mucosal protection and healing potential. The findings suggest that root and stem extracts of Butea monosperma possess bioactive phytoconstituents with potent antimicrobial activity, favorable safety margins, and promising antiulcer properties. These results provide scientific validation to the traditional use of B. monosperma and highlight its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing microbial infections and peptic ulcer disease.

Keywords: Butea monosperma, phytochemistry, antimicrobial, toxicity, antiulcer, gastric protection.