Phytochemical screening, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities from leaf and stem extracts of Strobilanthes crispus (L.) collected in Sarawak and Melaka

Strobilanthes crispus (L.), commonly known as Pokok Pecah Beling, is a medicinal plant from Southeast Asia used for treating illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and hypertension. The study aimed to screen the phytochemicals and determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the leaf and stem extracts from Sarawak and Melaka. The maceration method was used to prepare extracts of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and phenols in methanol extracts. The Sarawak stem methanol extract exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity (94.14% DPPH scavenging, IC₅₀ = 115.13 ppm). However, none of the extracts showed antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. These findings highlight S. crispus (L.), particularly the Sarawak stem methanol extract, as a potential source of natural antioxidants.