Evaluation on composition, antioxidant and toxicity of Melaleuca cajuputi leaves

Melaleuca cajuputi (MC) is an aromatic herb that belongs to Myrtaceae family. MC leaves are widely used as traditional medicine, cooking flavour and freshening agent in cosmetics. In this study, the proximate analysis of MC leaves comprised of moisture (2.74%), ash (7.76 ± 0.04%), crude fat (4.83 ± 0.20%), calorie (4974 Cal/g), dietary fibre (9.49 ± 0.01%), protein (6.42 ± 0.06%) and carbohydrates (78.25 ± 1.02%). Besides that, in BSLA only MCME produced toxicity effect with LC 50 value of 427 µg/mL while MCEO, MCAE and MCDE not showed any toxicity effect based on Meyer’s and Clarkson’s classification. Moreover, MCME produced the highest TPC and TFC value followed with MCAE, MCEO and MCDE which indicated highest free radical scavenging activity. Next, GCMS analysis revealed that 19 compounds are found in MCEO that possess antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Furthermore, the concentrations of heavy metals in MCEO (lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury) are within normal range concentrations based on British pharmacopoeia 2008.