# Investigating the Devil’s tree(Alstonia scholaris) for its health-safeguardingproperty and antipathogenic activities against fungi and helminthparasites of veterinary importance

## TL;DR

This study confirms that Alstonia scholaris bark has antioxidant, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties, supporting its traditional use in Mizo medicine.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical validation of the antifungal and anthelmintic activities of Alstonia scholaris bark extract.

## Key findings

- The extract showed significant antioxidant activity with high levels of flavonoids and phenols.
- It effectively inhibited the growth of several fungi, especially Candida albicans.
- The extract exhibited antiparasitic effects against Raillietina echinobothrida, observed through microscopy.

## Abstract

The study was formulated to analyze the health benefits and antifungal and anthelmintic properties of Alstonia scholaris, specifically its bark, as claimed in Mizo traditional medicine. Biochemical assays were set up to evaluate the antioxidant potential and bioactivity tests on activity against pathogenic fungi and helminth parasites.

Alstonia scholaris bark extract was prepared in petroleum ether, a non-polar solvent. Phytochemical detections were performed for 11 chemical tests. The total antioxidant, flavonoid, and phenol contents were determined. The free radical-scavenging reactions were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) scavenging and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The antifungal activity was tested by an agar diffusion method. Anthelmintic activity was assessed by survival assay, scanning electron microscopy, and histology.

Phytosterols were identified as the main bioactive compounds. The total antioxidant was estimated at 6.4305 mg ascorbate equivalent per gram, flavonoid at 128.03 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram, and phenol at 10.72 mg pentahydroxyflavone equivalent per gram. The FRAP assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent scavenging of ferric (Fe⁺³) cations. The DPPH scavenging reaction showed the half-maximal inhibitory concentration at 136 µg/ml. It was found that the plant extract was effective against Candida albicans, Neocosmospora keratoplastica, and Neosartorya fumigata, with the highest degree of inhibition against C. albicans. It exhibited activity against the poultry tapeworm, Raillietina echinobothrida. Light and electron microscopy revealed signature antiparasitic effects on different parts of the parasite body

The study vindicated the medicinal properties of A. scholaris in terms of antioxidants, antifungal, and antiparasitic activities.