A Systematic Pharmacognostic and Antimicrobial Assessment of Abelmoschus moschatus (Latakasturi) Seed Extracts

Abelmoschus moschatus Medik. (Latakasturi) is an aromatic medicinal plant belonging to the Malvaceae family, traditionally valued in herbal medicine for its diverse therapeutic applications. However, comprehensive pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and pharmacological evaluations of its seeds remain limited. This study aimed to systematically investigate the pharmacognostic characteristics, physicochemical parameters, phytochemical profile, total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antimicrobial activity of Abelmoschus moschatus seed extracts prepared using different solvents. Standard pharmacognostic and physicochemical analyses were conducted as per WHO guidelines. The seeds were subjected to successive solvent extraction with petroleum ether, ethanol, and water, followed by qualitative phytochemical screening. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantitatively determined using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts against Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. The physicochemical evaluation confirmed the quality and identity of the crude drug within acceptable limits. Phytochemical screening revealed ethanol as the most effective solvent for extracting a broad spectrum of phytoconstituents. Quantitative analysis demonstrated the highest total phenolic (63.44 ± 1.05 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (41.32 ± 0.96 mg QE/g) contents in the ethanolic extract. Antimicrobial studies showed concentration-dependent inhibition, with the ethanolic extract exhibiting superior antibacterial activity (21 mm zone of inhibition at 50 mg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract. The findings validate the ethnomedicinal significance of Abelmoschus moschatus seeds, confirming the potent phytochemical richness and antimicrobial efficacy of its ethanolic extract. These results support its potential for further development as a natural antimicrobial and phytotherapeutic agent.