Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, phenol content, and -amylase inhibitory effects of a local variety
of betel leaves were evaluated. The effects of various solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and ethyl
acetate) on phenols and antioxidant activities were also studied. Methanol and ethanol (90%) extracts
showed maximum phenolic contents (205.2 and 202.9 mg GAE/g, respectively). Maximum flavonoid
contents were determined using 90% acetone (82.5 mg CE/g), and the highest inhibition percentage of
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical was exhibited by 90% ethanol (percent inhibition, 94%). -Amylase
activity assay showed that -amylase inhibitory activities were positively correlated with the total phenolic
content of ethanol and methanol. Considering antimicrobial activities, we found that all of the
Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria were inhibited by betel leaf extract except Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. Our results could provide a basis of future studies on betel leaves used in food and
pharmaceutical applications.
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