Six different extracts of Canarium patentinervium Miq. (Burseraceae) leaves and barks were screened for their phytochemical composition, and antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities. Among the different extracts tested, the ethanol extract of leaves showed significant antimicrobial and radical scavenging activities. The most susceptible micro-organisms were found to be Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed that the antimicrobial and the radical scavenging activities are mainly due to the presence of tannins and flavonoids. The results obtained suggest that Canarium patentinervium Miq. could be exploited in the management of various infectious diseases. 1. Introduction Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, and bacteria have become more resistant to conventional antibiotic in recent years [1]. The number of resistant pathogenic bacteria grows at an alarming rate worldwide, and the search for novel antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants to combat such pathogens has become crucial for avoiding the emergence of untreatable bacterial infections [2, 3]. Bacterial infections have been known to generate extensive formation of free radicals [4]. The role of free radicals and active oxygen is becoming increasingly recognized in the pathogenesis of the many human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, ageing, and atherosclerosis [5]. Free radicals can also cause lipid peroxidation in foods that leads to their deterioration. Synthetic antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), are suspected of carcinogenicity and of hormonal perturbation [6, 7]. Therefore, the search for natural antioxidants has been greatly intensified in recent years. In continuation of our earlier studies on the pharmacological properties of Malaysian plants [8], this study was undertaken to screen the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial and radical scavenging activities of different extracts of Canarium patentinervium Miq. Canarium patentinervium Miq. belongs to the family of Burseraceae best known for producing resins of economic, medicinal, and cultural values such as frankincense, myrrh, and copal [9]. This family consist of 18 genera and 700 species of trees [10]. In the Asia-Pacific region, about 20 species of Burseraceae are used to heal wounds and to treat skin infections [11]. One such species is Canarium
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