Strychnos Spinosa as a potential anti-oxidants and anti-microbials natural product

Abstract

Plants have been used for medicinal purpose for thousands of years. Phytochemical, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of methanol leaf extract of Strychnos spinosa was evaluated. Antibacterial activity of the extract was evaluated against Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes. Antioxidant activities was determined using DPPH free radical- scavenging assay. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of phenol, flavonoid, tannin, saponin and alkaloids at a concentration of 233.24±24.73, 183.46±2.35, 27.09±0.61, 559.40±31.40 and 15.17±0.32 mg/100g respectively. The extract shows dose dependent antimicrobial activities with diameter zone of inhibition range between 10.00±1.00 to 26.50±1.00 mm. The extract was more sensitive against S. mutans, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes but less active against S. pneumonia. MIC of the extract ranged between 1.25 to 5 mg/mL while the MBC ranged between 2.5 to 20 mg/mL. The extract shows dose dependent antioxidants activity with the highest radical inhibition of 43.47±2.50 % at 100 µg/mL compared to 90.12±1.61 % of the standard (Ascorbic acid). The results obtained support the use of S. spinosa in traditional medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases.