EXPLORING THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF AVICENNIA MARINA: A MULTIMODAL ANALYTICAL AND BIOASSAY APPROACH

Objectives: Mangrove ecosystems are rich sources of bioactive natural products with significant pharmacological potential. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the hydroalcoholic extract of Avicennia marina leaves collected from the Shirgaon mangroves, Ratnagiri District, India, through phytochemical, biological, and spectroscopic analyses. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted to detect secondary metabolites. Bioactive constituents were isolated, characterized, and quantified for total phenolic and flavonoid content. Antioxidant activity was assessed in correlation with phytochemical levels. Biological evaluations included antimicrobial, antifungal, cytotoxicity, and anthelmintic assays. Results: The extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins, with high phenolic and flavonoid content supporting strong antioxidant activity. Isolated fractions demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antifungal activity, which showed inhibitory effects against bacteria and Candida albicans. Cytotoxicity assays indicated markable preliminary screening for general toxicity. In addition, the extract showed significant anthelmintic activity, inducing rapid paralysis and mortality in worms in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: The integrated phytochemical and biological analyses confirm the multifaceted bioactivity of A. marina. Its strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, general toxicity assay, and antiparasitic properties highlight its potential as a promising natural source for novel therapeutic agents. These findings support further development of mangrove-based natural products in drug discovery.