Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Ficus capensis Thunb Leaves
Journal Title: Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research - Year 2016, Vol 1, Issue 4
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents of the ethanol leaf extract of Ficus capensis using GC-MS, its antimicrobial and in vitro antioxidant activities. Study Design: The study was designed to identify the phytochemicals present in Ficus capensis, to test the inhibitory ability of the plant extract on human pathogens and to ascertain its antioxidant activities. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. Imo state and Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia. Abia state, between June to November, 2013. Methodology: The phytochemicals from the stem of Ficus capensisThunb were extracted with ethanol and subjected to GC/MS analysis and the identification of compounds was done by comparing spectrum of the unknown component with the spectrum of the known components stored in the NIST library. The antibacterial activity was performed by filter paper disc diffusion technique. The antioxidant activity of the extract was tested using DPPH and FRAP assays. Results: The results of the analysis revealed that ethanol extract of Ficus capensis contains twelve compounds with n- Hexadecanoic acid forming the bulk of the oil (40%). Other compounds identified include: glycerin, 4-(2, 6, 6-trimethylcyclohexa-1, 3-dienyl) but-3-en-2-one, 3-Acetoxy-4-cyano-2, 5-dimethylpyridine, tetradecanoic acid etc. The ethanol extract inhibited all the tested organisms S. aureus, P. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and E. coli though not to a high extent. The antioxidant activity of the extract increased with increasing concentration of the extract. The optimum activity was observed at 200 µg/ml. Conclusion: The constituents of this plant suggest its varied medicinal uses in ethno-medicine. Further research is needed to determine the possible mechanism of action of these phytoconstituents.
Authors and Affiliations
Doris Akachukwu, Rosemary Izunwanne Uchegbu
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP350613
- DOI 10.9734/JOCAMR/2016/29851
- Views 78
- Downloads 0
Evaluation of Antioxidant Potentiality of Methanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Pandanus foetidus R. Leaves
Aim: Plants are the natural source of antioxidants take part a vital role in the treatment of many age-related diseases and improvement of public health. Therefore the present study was carried out to assess the antioxid...
Cupping Therapy (Al-Hijamah): An Exploratory Study of Healthcare Professionals Controversial Beliefs and Conceptions, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Background: Cupping therapy (Al-Hijamah) is a traditional therapy, supported and practised by people around the world since ancient times. Cupping therapy related to complementary and alternative medicine is associated w...
Role of Anti-fertility Medicinal Plants on Male & Female Reproduction
Aim and Objective: The aim of this review was to provide a detailed concept to the researchers on antifertility activity of several plants inhibiting male and female fertility and may be developed into contraceptives. De...
Active Phytochemicals and Antimicrobial Properties of the Extracts of Xylopia aethiopica Root and Stem Bark
The use of plants to prevent and cure diseases traditionally has been a common practice all over the world even with no scientific evidence of why they have been used. Xylopia aethiopica is one of such plant known to be...
Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Ficus capensis Thunb Leaves
Aims: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents of the ethanol leaf extract of Ficus capensis using GC-MS, its antimicrobial and in vitro antioxidant activities. Study Design: The study was designed to identify the phyt...