Bacterial Inhibition and Oxidative Stress Remedial Properties of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera

Bacterial resistance towards the use of synthetic drugs has created a havoc in the modern era of health sciences. Medicinal plants may pave the way for alternative source of medicines that can overcome bacterial resistance. In this regard, employing three different extraction procedure (Maceration, Decoction and Soxhlet) aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica were prepared and observed for bacterial inhibition and antioxidant properties. Phytochemical screening results revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, reducing sugars and saponins. Percentage scavenging activity primarily DPPH assay shows Moringa oleifera Soxhlet 6th (MOS 6th) with the highest percentage scavenging activity. Similarly, total flavonoid content estimation results rendered Moringa oleifera Decoction (MOD) as the highest flavonoid containing sample (68.97 ± 0.9) mg RUE/ml. Antibacterial efficiency of the extracts was monitored against Streptococcus mutans (gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (E. Coli) DH5 (gram-negative) bacteria, 96-well microtiter two-fold dilution reveals lowest MIC of 625 μg ml–1 for Neem soxhlet 6th cycle (NS 6th) against Streptococcus mutans while Moringa oliefera soxhelt 2nd cycle shows a low toxicity pattern (MIC 5000 μg ml–1). However, only three extract (Neem Soxhlet 2nd cycle, Moringa oleifera Soxhlet 2nd cycle and Neem Soxhlet 6th cycle) shows inhibitory potential against E. coli. Furthermore, zone of inhibition acquired via agar-well diffusion assay well corroborates with the results of 96-well pate. Based on extraction procedure, Soxhlet method establishes a good toxicity profile against the studied organism.