Antimicrobial efficacy of different solvent extracts of Quercus infectoria G.Olivier against UTI pathogens and evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects

Multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major global concern for the health sector. Quercus infectoria G.Olivier has been used as a medicine for ages in Asia and it is well established of its antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. The aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extract and dry powder forms of Q. infectoria were investigated for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. Various assays were done to determine anti-microbial, cytotoxic effects, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aqueous extract of Q. infectoria expressed antibacterial properties against Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, while the methanolic extract is effective against Klebsiella species by the well diffusion assay. The cytotoxic effects of Q. infectorias’ aqueous extract revealed a 90 % survival rate with 5 and 10 µg/mL in the brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) method. The methanolic extract demonstrated an 89.13 % suppression of antioxidant activity at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. The methanolic extract demonstrated 85.13 % suppression of antioxidant activity in the H₂O₂ experiment at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. Similarly, aqueous extract showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory actions in egg albumin denaturation inhibition assay (EA assay), bovine serum albumin denaturation assay (BSA assay) and membrane stabilisation assay (MSA assay). The current investigation showed that Q. infectoria has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moreover, it has antimicrobial actions against selected UTI pathogens.