Phytochemical Screening, Chromatographic Profiling and Bioactivity Evaluation of Gardenia fosbergii Fruit Extract 

The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical screening and chromatographic profiing of sequentially extracted chloroform, petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride and methanol fractions derived from ripe fruit of Gardenia fosbergii Tirveng. (family Rubiaceae). Selected biological activities of G. fosbergii fruit extract were reported for the first time in this study. The phytochemical analysis of fruit fractions obtained from four organic solvents was carried out to determine the bio-active compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and phenolics. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was highest for some fractions at 500 µg/mL (e.g., 750.33 mgGAE/g), with lower amounts observed at 1000 µg/mL. TLC profiling elucidated component separation, while column chromatography facilitated their isolation and purification for further structural characterization. Biological assays revealed significant antimicrobial, insecticidal, radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities supporting the therapeutic potential of G. fosbergii. Antimicrobial activity, tested against E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and Candida sp. by disc diffusion method showed greater efficacy at 1000 mg/mL than at 500 mg/mL.  Insecticidal activity was conducted using Culex quinquefasciatus larvae against 0.25 – 2 mg/mL concentrations. The susceptibility of larvae in the order; Pet –Ether (45%) > Chloroform > Methanol > Carbon tetrachloride (20%). Cytotoxicity against Artemia salina nauplii followed the order: Chloroform (80%) > Pet-Ether > Methanol > Carbon tetrachloride (56%). DPPH radical scavenging activity was dose dependent, yielding IC₅₀ values of 13.27, 101.84, 227.03, and 243.81 µg/mL for the respective fractions, compared to the internal standard, ascorbic acid (55.27 µg/mL). Results were statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). These findings underscore the significant therapeutic potential of G. fosbergii fruit extract and support its promising applications in the development of novel therapeutic interventions.