Rima Ernia, Rina SE Sitindaon, Nyoman Yudi Antara

Investigation of Melaleuca leucadendron L. from South Sumatra: Phytochemicals and IC50-Based Antioxidant Potential

Introduction

Investigation of melaleuca leucadendron l. From south sumatra: phytochemicals and ic50-based antioxidant potential. Discover the phytochemicals & potent antioxidant potential (IC50 47.56 ppm) of Melaleuca leucadendron L. leaves & seeds from South Sumatra. Natural antioxidants identified.

Abstract

Melaleuca leucadendron L. (commonly known as Gelam wood) is a plant that thrives in the swampy regions of South Sumatra. The utilization of this plant has historically been limited to its wood, leaving the potential of its leaves and seeds largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the species of Gelam wood and investigate the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of its leaves and seeds.The methodology involved methanol extraction of the plant material, followed by comprehensive phytochemical screening and an antioxidant activity assay using the DPPH method.The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of several key compounds, with the Gelam extracts testing positive for Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Steroids, Saponins, Tannins, and Triterpenoids. Furthermore, the extract from the leaves and seeds demonstrated potent antioxidant activity, evidenced by an IC50​ value of 47.56 ppm, which classifies it as a strong antioxidant (<50 ppm).This research highlights the significant therapeutic potential of Melaleuca leucadendron leaves and seeds, suggesting they are valuable sources of natural antioxidants

Review

The study, "Investigation of Melaleuca leucadendron L. from South Sumatra: Phytochemicals and IC50-Based Antioxidant Potential," presents a timely and valuable initial exploration into the underutilized parts of *Melaleuca leucadendron L.* (Gelam wood). By shifting focus from traditional wood utilization to the leaves and seeds, the authors effectively address a significant gap in knowledge regarding this plant, particularly its potential for therapeutic applications. The research successfully identifies the species, characterizes its phytochemical profile, and assesses its antioxidant potential, demonstrating the presence of diverse bioactive compounds and notably strong antioxidant activity. This preliminary work establishes a solid foundation for recognizing Gelam wood as a promising source of natural antioxidants. The methodology employed, involving methanol extraction followed by comprehensive phytochemical screening and the DPPH antioxidant activity assay, is appropriate for this initial investigation. The phytochemical analysis meticulously confirmed the presence of a wide array of secondary metabolites including Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Steroids, Saponins, Tannins, and Triterpenoids, which collectively underpin the observed biological activity. A particular strength lies in the quantitative assessment of antioxidant potential, where the combined extract from leaves and seeds yielded an impressive IC50 value of 47.56 ppm. This precisely positions the extract within the "strong antioxidant" category (<50 ppm), providing concrete evidence of its significant free radical scavenging capacity and validating the authors' claims of therapeutic potential. While highly informative as a preliminary study, the abstract suggests several avenues for future research to enhance the depth and impact of these findings. Future studies could benefit from more detailed spectroscopic analysis to identify specific compounds within each phytochemical class, rather than just group confirmations. Additionally, exploring the antioxidant potential of leaves and seeds separately, rather than as a combined extract, could provide valuable insights into their individual contributions. Furthermore, investigating the mechanism of antioxidant action beyond DPPH, or conducting *in vivo* studies to validate these *in vitro* results, would significantly strengthen the therapeutic claims. Despite these potential expansions, this research provides compelling evidence for the untapped value of *Melaleuca leucadendron* leaves and seeds, marking them as important candidates for further pharmacological and product development investigations.

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