Integrated Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and HPTLC Analysis of Litsea chinensis (Lam.) Pers. (Medalakri) Stem Bark with Evaluation of its Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Litsea chinensis (Medalakri), a member of the Lauraceae family, has been traditionally employed to treat inflammatory and infectious disorders. The objective of this investigation was to assess its pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, and biological characteristics in order to validate its use and establish standardization parameters. HPTLC was employed to conduct phytochemical profiling and evaluate physicochemical parameters. Concentration-dependent assessments were conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS), and anti-inflammatory (protein denaturation) activities. Pharmacognostical analysis identified unique macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, such as sclereids, periderm, calcium oxalate crystals, and starch granules, that functioned as diagnostic markers. Physicochemical parameters, including acid-insoluble ash (0.60%), total ash (3.85%), and loss on drying (9.59%), were within acceptable limits, suggesting that the product was of high quality and purity. The presence of a variety of phytoconstituents with multiple bands and peaks was confirmed by HPTLC profiling. The ethanolic extract exhibited antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial strains and antifungal activity against Candida albicans, with inhibition zones generally increasing with extract concentration. At 50 mg/mL, the highest antibacterial activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (23 ± 2.00 mm), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.67 ± 0.58 mm) and Escherichia coli (20.33 ± 0.58 mm). In comparison to ascorbic acid, antioxidant assays (DPPH and ABTS) demonstrated moderate, dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity. Protein denaturation was significantly inhibited in the anti-inflammatory study (57.25% at the greatest concentration). In general, the ethanol extract exhibits the potential to stabilize proteins and mitigate inflammatory responses. The stem bark of Litsea chinensis demonstrates promising antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. These discoveries substantiate its conventional application and underscore its potential as a natural therapeutic agent.