Antimicrobial and antioxidant studies of the methanol leaves extract of Cnestis ferruginea Dc (connaraceae)

Abstract

The leaves of  Cnestis ferruginea  is used in the treatment of various ailment and diseases. This work is aimed at investigating the antimicrobial and antioxidant studies of the extract of Cnestis ferruginea DC (Connaraceae) leaves. The methanol extract was evaluated for the presence of phytochemicals. The methanol extract was evaluated for antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus spp. Thereafter, antioxidant activities were also carried out with DPPH (2,2- Diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods using ascorbic acid as standard for DPPH and FRAP. The total phenolic content was determined using garlic acid and total flavonoids content was determined using quercetin as their standard respectively. The results indicate the presence of phytochemicals such as, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. The results also indicate that all the organisms were sensitive to the various extract concentrations used (100 – 6.25 mg/mL). The minimum inhibitory concentration demonstrated by the organisms include, E. coli (12.5mg/mL), B. subtilis (6.25mg/mL), S. aureus (12.5mg/mL), P. aeruginosa (6.25mg/mL), C. Albicans (100mg/mL), and A. spp (100mg/mL). The mean % inhibition for DPPH increases with increasing concentrations compared to FRAP that decreases with increasing concentrations. The total phenolic and flavonoids content of the crude extract of C. ferruginea leaves are 82.89 + 0.06 mg/GAE/g and 57.09 + 0.04 mg/QAE/g respectively. This study shows that the plant extract exhibited good antimicrobial and antioxidant activities against the test microorganisms.