Microscopic Studies, Mineral composition and Bioactivity of Vitex madiensis Oliv. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

Ethanol and organic acid extracts from the leaves of Vitex madiensis Oliv. were evaluated for their antihelminthic activity using the animal model of Benhamia rosea and B. itoleisis (Kinshasa/DRC earthworms), antibacterial activity and antioxidant activity. Different concentrations (5 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 1.25 mg/mL and 0.625 mg/mL) of standard Albendazole (positive control) and sample solutions (organic acid extracts and ethanol extracts) were used for this study which involved the determination of the paralysis time (vermifuge) and mortality time (vermicidal activity) of the worms. The presence of different secondary metabolites was determined by the thin layer chromatography. The results obtained showed that the ethanolic extract and the organic acid extracts showed significant antihelminthic activity. Microscopic examination of the parts used revealed the presence of various histological elements. Its phytochemical profile remains dominated by various secondary metabolites such as coumarins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, phenolic acids and terpenoids. The mineral composition was determined by inductively coupled argon plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-EOS) showed the abundance of various elements, namely calcium, iron, potassium, selenium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, cobalt, copper, barium and zinc in this plant. The antibacterial activity of the extracts of this plant was weak against the bacterial strains tested. The organic acid and ethanol extracts showed interesting antioxidant activity. The leaves extracts of Vitex madiensis Oliv. showed good antihelminthic, antibacterial and antioxidant activities related to their phytochemical compositions. All these results constitute scientific evidence validating the use of this medicinal plant for the management of parasitic infections of small ruminants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.