Bioactive Potential of Lantana camara Leaf Extracts: Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, Anti-Diabetic, and Antimicrobial Activities, and Molecular Docking analysis

Lantana camara, which is used in Indian traditional medicine, was analysed to determine its phytochemicals and biological activities. The leaves were dried (250 g) and subjected to maceration and Soxhlet extraction techniques, employing solvents of increasing polarity. Chemical profiling was carried out using GC-MS, and the concentration of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other bioactive compounds were determined using UV spectrophotometry. Preliminary phytochemical tests also indicated the existence of these compounds in considerable quantities, therefore recommending their utilization in treatments. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, phosphomolybdate, H₂O₂, ^•OH, nitric oxide, and Fe²⁺-chelating methods. The extracts had a relatively high antioxidant capacity, which decreased the oxidative damage at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 µg/mL. Antidiabetic activity was confirmed by testing for α-amylase inhibition using starch azure as a substrate. The inhibition profile was assessed at 595 nm, indicating that inhibition was dependent on the extract concentrations (10-100 µg/mL). The antibacterial activity of the extract was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, showing activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumonia. The presence of antifungal activity against bacterial types such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus fumigatus showed that the plant has antifungal properties supported by its high-spectrum antimicrobial property. The molecular docking analytical results showed high-affinity interactions between the bioactive compound and the target protein, which further validated the plant's antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Based on these outcomes, it seems that Lantana camara extracts have potential for utilization in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries as natural antioxidants and antidiabetic and antimicrobial compounds. More research has to be carried out on their toxicity, medical uses, and other forms of extraction methods in order to increase efficacy and minimize toxicities.