EVALUATION OF ANTIDIARRHEAL, ANTIMICROBIAL, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACT FROM ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE LEAVES IN EXPERIMENTAL MODELS
Abstract
Anacardium occidentale, a member of the Anacardiaceae family, is a major source of anacardic acid, primarily obtained from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). Interest in this compound has grown due to its unique chemical structure, which combines a salicylic acid ring with an alkyl side chain, giving it important biological and physicochemical properties useful in medicine and industry. Research shows that anacardic acid possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiarrheal activities. Its antioxidant effect is linked to phenolic hydroxyl groups that neutralize free radicals, while its antibacterial action is believed to involve disruption of microbial metabolic pathways and cell membranes. The compound may also help treat diarrheal disorders by reducing inflammation and regulating intestinal secretion and motility. The biological activity of anacardic acid is influenced by factors such as extraction methods, storage conditions, and standardization. Antioxidant potential is commonly evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The medicinal importance of the cashew plant is also supported by its long-standing use in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda, where it is valued for promoting digestive health.
Keywords:
Anacardic acid, Anacardium occidentale, phenolic lipids, plant-derived bioactive molecules, antioxidant activity, antibacterial qualities, and antidiarrheal potentialDOI
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