Assessment of antioxidant, anti- inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of curcuma longa extracts using soxhlet extraction / Muhammad Farhan Naufal Bin Abdul Latiff

Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology

Final Year Report (Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering Technology (Pharmaceuticals) with Hons ) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah - 2025

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The perennial plant Curcuma longa belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is well known for its pharmacological properties. Historically, it has been widely used in traditional Indian medicine to treat various ailments and is now a key ingredient in modern health supplements. Its bioactive compounds, particularly curcumin, exhibit significant antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. However, despite these known benefits, there remains a need for scientific validation regarding the best extraction methods to maximize the bioactivity of its compounds. This study focuses on the Soxhlet extraction method to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of C. longa extract and its potential applications in pharmaceuticals. S. longa extract was obtained using Soxhlet extraction with ethanol as the solvent. The antioxidant activity was determined using the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) free radical scavenging assay, where the IC50 value for Soxhlet extract was found to be 269 μg/mL, demonstrating notable antioxidant potential. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assay, with the Soxhlet extract showing an IC50 value of 301.99 μg/mL, indicating its ability to prevent protein denaturation, a key factor in inflammation. For antibacterial activity, the disc diffusion method was employed to assess inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The Soxhlet extract exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus with an inhibition zone of 4.5 mm but showed no inhibition against E. coli, likely due to the protective outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The findings suggest that Soxhlet extraction is effective in extracting bioactive compounds with notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its antibacterial activity is more limited, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. These results highlight the potential of Soxhlet-extracted C. longa for pharmaceutical applications, though further optimization and research are necessary to enhance its bioactivity and therapeutic efficacy.