Antifungal and Antioxidant Profile of Ethnomedicinally Important Liverworts (Pellia endivaefolia and Plagiochasma appendiculatum) Used by Indigenous Tribes of District Reasi: North West Himalayas

The present investigation has been an attempt to evaluate antifungal and antioxidant potential of two ethno botanically important liverworts viz, Plagiochasma appendiculatum and Pellia endivaefolia. The methanolic extract was tested against three fungal species viz. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Plagiochasma sp. proved to be more effective against all tested fungi; especially, A. flavus. Similarly Pellia sp. inhibited A. alternata the most. The antioxidant system viz. antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes were also evaluated. The values were enough closer to those of higher plants. Guaiacol peroxidase and catalase activity of Plagiochasma sp. was found to be higher than that of Pellia sp. All other evaluated parameters like superoxide dismutase, ascorbic acid, proline, glutathione and total phenols were higher in Pellia sp. as compared to Plagiochasma sp. This is the first report regarding the antioxidant system of these two liverworts.