Antimicrobial screening and effect of the pulp extracts of <i>Zizyphus spina-christi</i> (Linnaeus Desf) on some biochemical parameters in rats

Abstract

The pulp extract of Zizyphus spina-christi which have ethnomedicinal value was studied. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the pulp extract (aqueous) was assayed using the agar plate diffusion and broth dilution methods. Test microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, all the organisms were laboratory isolates. The effect of gastrically administered aqueous Pulp extract of Zizyphus spina-christi was investigated in rats. Groups of rats were orally administered 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weight of extracts daily for three (3) weeks. The animals were sacrificed by decapitation and blood collected for biochemical analysis. The pulp aqueous extract showed more susceptibility on E. coli, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans which is a fungal suggesting that the extract possess antifungal activity. The pulp aqueous extract showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.25mg/ml against E .coli and C. albicans. The minimum bactericidal concentration of the pulp aqueous extract was 12.5mg/ml for S. pyogenes. The result of biochemical analysis showed that no significant difference existed between the treated group and the control group for the liver enzymes; Alanine transaminase (ALT) Aspartate transaminase (AST) Alkaline phosphatase (ALK) Serum protein and Serum albumin. Also, Serum electrolyte (Na+, K+, HCO3-, Cl-) equally showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) to the control group. Similar results were obtained for Serum Urea and Creatinine Levels. The result obtained indicates that the extract is neither hepatotoxic nor nephrotic.Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Zizyphus spina-christi extracts (aqueous), phytochemical screening, Kidney function test, Liver function test, RhamnaceaeJournal of pharmacy and Bioresources, Vol. 6 no. 2, pp. 58-64 (September 2009)