Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant activities, antibacterial activities and a phytochemical constituent of Asparagus laricinus stem and leaf extracts. Determination of antibacterial activity of extracts was assessed by agar dilution method and antioxidant properties by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the leaf was at a concentration of 0.125 mg/mL against S. saprophyticus and E. cloacae, and at a concentration of 1 mg/mL against S. aureus and B. subtilis. There was no MIC of the stem extract at any concentration. The leaf extract showed effective free radical scavenging activity (72.1%), while stem extract had low activity. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of these plant extracts revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids and phlobatannins. The leaf extract further confirmed the presence of glycosides, steroids, ternoids and carbohydrates. Our results indicate that, A. laricinus leaf extracts have potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.
Highlights
Phytochemicals or secondary metabolites are chemical compounds formed during the plants normal metabolic processes and plants use them to protect themselves (Ning et al, 2009)
A. laricinus stem and leaf extracts were tested with agar-dilution assay
Results showed (Table I) that only leaf extracts possess antibacterial activities with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.125 mg/mL against S. saprophyticus and E. cloacae and 1 mg/mL against S. aureus and B. subtilis. This part of the plant can be further investigated for toxicity and may be used to develop new antibacterial medical drugs against S. aureus, S. saprophyticus, E. cloacae and B. subtilis at >1 mg/mL concentration
Summary
Phytochemicals or secondary metabolites are chemical compounds formed during the plants normal metabolic processes and plants use them to protect themselves (Ning et al, 2009). The resistance that pathogens build against antibiotics and the oxidative stress caused by free radicals, has sparked interest in the search for new antibacterial and anti-oxidant compounds from nature (Berrino et al, 2009; Pervival, 1997; Auroma, 1998; Michael et al, 2006). Natural crude drug extracts isolated from plant species can be prolific resources for such new drugs. The genus Asparagus comprises approximately 100 species and consists of herbs, shrubs and vines. Asparagus laricinus is a monogeneric family (previously included within the Liliaceae family), belonging to Asparagaceae family (Brummitt, 1992). A. laricinus known as lesitwane in Setswana is reported to have indications for sores, tuberculosis, redwater, uterine infection, general aliments and umbilical cord inflammation
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