In vitro antibacterial and antioxidant properties of methanol leaves extracts of Emilia abyssinica (Sch. Bip. Ex A. Rich) C. Jeffrey (Compositae) and Cissampelos owariensis P. Beauv. Ex Dc. (Menispermaceae)
Background: Emilia abyssinica and Cissampelos owariensis are medicinal plants used traditionally for the treatment of wounds. It is important to identify potential natural remedies for diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms and oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Emilia abyssinica and Cissampelos owariensis leaves.
Methodologies: The phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard protocols. Methanol crude extracts from leaves of these plants were tested against various bacterial strains using the agar diffusion and agar dilution methods. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Total Flavonoid and Phenolic Compounds Content were quantified using Aluminium chloride test and Folin-Ciocalteu method respectively. The assays were done in triplicate and data were expressed as mean ± SEM.
Results: The phytochemical analysis of these plants revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and sterols. The results indicated that both plants exhibited remarkable antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Emilia abyssinica extract had lower MIC values for all the isolates as compared to Cissampelos owariensis extract. The DPPH antioxidant activity of both plants showed comparable percentage inhibition with ascorbic acid the standard used (EA – 78.2%; CO – 78.5%; AA – 80.3%). The Total Flavonoid Content for Emilia abyssinica and Cissampelos owariensis methanol crude extracts were 204.3 µg/mL (Rutin equivalent) and 291.3 µg/mL (Rutin equivalent) while Total Phenolic Compounds Content gave 37.6 µg/mL (GAE) and 38.8 µg/mL (GAE) respectively.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that Emilia abyssinica and Cissampelos owariensis leaves extracts have promising antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and further studies are needed to identify and isolate the bioactive compounds responsible for these activities.
Keywords: Antimicrobial, Antioxidants, Cissampelos owariensis, DPPH, Emilia abyssinica
*Correspondence: ismotarowona@yahoo.com, 08077573403
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