Science Article

INVESTIGATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT

ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF THE
LEAVES OF VOACANGA AFRICANA STAPF.
(APOCYNACEAE) AND PSYDRAX SUBCORDATA (DC.)
BRIDSON (RUBIACEAE)
Bamisaye Olaofe Oyawaluja*1, Josephine Aribiba Williams1, Herbert A. B. Coker1

1
Department of Pharmaceu cal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos
*Corresponding Author: bamoyawa01@[Link], +2348033999408, +2348023534167

ABSTRACT respec vely), inhibited lipid peroxida on (IC50 value of

65.7±13.5µg/ml and 75.4±11.6 µg/ml respec vely) and
Background also inhibited the accumula on of nitrite in vitro (IC50
The importance of medicinal plants in tradi onal and value of 75.1±11.7µg /ml and 80.1±12.9µg /ml
modern health care prac ces and in providing clues to respec vely). The plant extracts yielded 47.8±0.07 and
new areas of research is now well recognised. Bacterial 65.2±0.04mg Gallic acid equivalent/100g phenolic
resistance has been increasingly reported worldwide content respec vely, 2.8±0.05mg and 28.2±0.05mg
and is one of the major causes of failure in the querce n equivalents/100g flavonoid content
treatment of infec ous diseases. Plant derived respec vely, total an oxidant capacity of 160.6±0.05
an oxidant could be useful as food addi ves to prevent and 110.7±0.05mg ascorbic equivalent/100g and
food deteriora on and also to impart human health and reducing power of 0.2±0.07 and 0.2±0.05µg/ml,
prevent oxida ve stress associated diseases. Natural- respec vely. The an microbial assay showed that
based products, including plant secondary metabolites Voacanga africana has ac vity against gram posi ve and
(phytochemicals), can be exploited to ameliorate the
gram nega ve bacteria organisms, which include
problem of microbial resistance and oxida ve stress.
Staphylococcus aureus (34.0±1.2), Bacillus sub lis
The choice of plants (Voacanga africana and Psydrax
(37.5±0.0) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35.5±0.9) at
subcordata) for this study was based on folkloric use
50µg/ml. Psydrax subcordata was only ac ve against
and literature search to authen cate the tradi on
Staphylococcus aureus (20.8±0.5). However, no
claims.
an fungal ac vity was observed for both plants.
Methods
Conclusion
The leaves methanolic extract of Voacanga africana and
Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata possess
Psydrax subcordata were inves gated for an microbial
an oxidant and an microbial ac vi es and these
and an oxidant ac vity. The an microbial ac vi es
results therefore provide evidence to support their
were also evaluated using the agar well diffusion
tradi onal uses. The observed an oxidant poten als
method while the an oxidant ac vi es of the plants
and phenolic content of the extract suggest that the
were evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
methanolic leaves extract of Voacanga africana and
(DPPH) radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging
Psydrax subcordata is a poten al source of natural
assay, lipid peroxida on scavenging assay, total
an oxidants.
an oxidant capacity assay, total phenolic content, total
flavonoid content and ferric reducing power assay.
Keywords: an microbial, an oxidant, phytochemical,
Results Voacanga africana, Psydrax subcordata
The extracts of Voacanga africana and Psydrax
subcordata significantly inhibited DPPH radical with an
IC50 value of 69.2±11.6µg/ml and 106.9±5.3µg/ml

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Science Article

INTRODUCTION non-phytotoxic and easily ameliorate the problem of

biodegradable alterna ve microbial resistance.
The medicinal proper es of some fungicides and an bio cs5.
plants have been implicated and Virtually all na ve plant species Free radical produc on occurs
explored in both tradi onal and are used for the treatment of one con nuously in all cells as part of
orthodox medicine. The potency ailment or another. These involves normal cellular func on. However,
of these plants has been traced to the tradi onal medicinal use for excess free radical produc on
some ac ve principles; alkaloids, despoil, preven ve, cura ve and origina ng from endogenous or
6
flavonoids, glycosides, etc. magical purposes . Some chemical exogenous sources might play a
referred to as secondary substances in the plant ssues role in many diseases. An oxidants
metabolites. These ac ve brought about the medicinal value prevent free radical induced ssue
ingredients are contained in of such drug plants. damage by preven ng the
leaves, stem bark, roots, seed, of forma on of radicals, scavenging
higher plants. Phytochemical An microbial was derived from them, or by promo ng their
screening of these organs helped the Greek words; an (against), decomposi on.
to advance the course of science mikros (li le) and bios (life) and
1
and medicine . Medicinal plants refers to all agents that act against An an oxidant can be defined as:
are plants containing inherent microbial organisms- bacteria “any substance that, when present
ac ve ingredients tending or used (an bacterial), fungal (an fungal), in low concentra ons compared to
to cure disease or relieve pain. etc. An an microbial is any that of an ox-disable substrate,
Plants represent a huge substance of natural, synthe c or significantly delays or inhibits the
storehouse of drugs: they produce semisynthe c origin that kills or oxida on of that substrate”13. The
more than 10,000 different inhibits the growth of physiological role of an oxidants,
compounds to protect themselves microorganisms, but cause li le or as this defini on suggests, is to
from predators. These compounds no damage to the host. prevent damage to cellular
2,3
could be poten al drugs . An microbial resistance is one of components arising as a
Historically, plant medicines were the most serious public health consequence of chemical
discovered by trial and error. Just threats that results mostly from reac ons involving free radicals. In
as people learnt to exploit plants the selec ve pressure exerted by recent years, a substan al body of
for food, so they learnt to use an bio c use and abuse7,8. Due to evidence has developed
plants as medicine4. For example, this increasing resistance, many suppor ng a key role for free
our ancestors no ced that aches an microbial agents are losing radicals in many fundamental
9,10,11
and pains went away when they their efficacy . Consequently, cellular reac ons and sugges ng
drank tea made from the bark of a the therapeu c op ons for the that oxida ve stress might be
willow tree, Salix sp. Later, treatment of infec ons have important in the pathophysiology
scien sts discovered that willow become limited or even of common diseases including
bark contains salicylic acid, the unavailable. According to the atherosclerosis, chronic renal
ac ve ingredient in aspirin. World Health Organiza on (WHO), failure, and diabetes mellitus.
infec ous diseases are these
Studies in the use of plant extracts second causes of death around the The most important free radicals
for control of diseases have shown world12. Therefore, it is necessary in many disease states are oxygen
the importance of natural to search and develop new deriva ves, par cularly superoxide
chemicals as possible sources of alterna ve compounds to and the hydroxyl radical. Radical

24 THE NIGERIA JOURNAL OF PHARMACY VOLUME 53, ISSUE 1, 2019

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forma on in the body occurs by used in many areas of Africa to collected from University of Lagos,
several mechanisms, involving treat heart troubles19. Akoka Campus. Plants were
both endogenous and iden fied at the herbarium of the
environmental factors. Although Psydrax subcordata (DC.) Bridson Department of Botany, Faculty of
free radical produc on occurs as a of Rubiaceae (also known as Science, University of Lagos.
consequence of the endogenous Canthium subcordatum) is a fruit Voucher numbers for the plants
reac ons and plays an important bearing plant, commonly housing given were; LUH 8162 and LUH
role in normal cellular func on, it colonies of ants and considerably 7561, for V. africana and P.
is important to remember that varying in size according to the subcordata leaves respec vely.
exogenous environmental factors area in which it grows. More
can also promote radical commonly, only a small tree up to Processing of plants material
forma on, such as; ultraviolet light 15metres tall, in Sierra Leone
will lead to the forma on of singlet specimens up to 30metres tall. . The leaves of V. africana and P.
oxygen and other reac ve oxygen The tree is harvested from the wild subcordata were handpicked and
14
species in the skin , atmospheric for its mber which is locally used. air dried for weeks. Drying was
0
pollutants such as ozone and It is naturally found in swamp completed in the oven at 40 C. The
nitrogen dioxide lead to radical forest at eleva ons around leaves were grounded using a
forma on and an oxidant 1,500meters, o en on open sites grinding machine.
deple on in the Broncho alveolar such as old farmlands20. It is
lining fluid, and this may propagated by seed. Psydrax Extrac on of plant material
exacerbate respiratory disease15, 16, subcordata has been used for the
17
and cigare e smoke contains management of haemorrhoids, V. africana powdered leaves
millimolar amounts of free stomach ulcer, piles, abdominal 1,886g and 250g of P. subcordata
18
radicals, along with other toxins . pains, dyspepsia, enteri s, powdered leaves were macerated
stomach aches, gastri s, with absolute methanol separately,
Voacanga africana Stapf. heartburns and intes nal with occasional mixing and
Commonly known as Pepe pete complaints21. changing of solvent every 4days
(Igbo, Nigeria) and Ako dodo for 3weeks. The extracts were
(Yoruba, Nigeria), is a small This present study aims to filtered using Whatman no.1 and
flowering plant in the dogbane inves gate the an oxidant and concentrated using rotary
family, Apocynaceae, which grows an microbial ac vity of the evaporator. Further drying was
o
to 6m in height. It is na ve to methanolic extracts of the dried done in the oven at 40 C and dried
tropical Africa. The small tree has leaves of Voacanga africana and extracts were kept in a cool dry
leaves that are up to 30 cm in Psydrax subcordata. place at room temperature.
length, and the tree produces
yellow or white flowers. It is MATERIALS AND METHODS PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING
propagated by seed. Tea made
from the leaf is said to be a Collec on and Iden fica on of The phytochemical screenings
strengthening po on that relieves plants were carried out on the methanol
fa gue and shortness of breath. It extracts, using standard
is also used to prevent premature Voacanga africana plant was procedures to iden fy the
childbirth and to treat painful collected from the wild in Osun following secondary metabolites;
hernias and menstrua on. It is state and Psydrax subcordata was alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins,

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Science Article

cardiac glycosides, saponins, pharmaceu cal microbiology temperature. Using a sterile cork
anthraquinones and reducing laboratory of the Department of borer, 10mm diameter wells were
sugars as described by Trease and Pharmaceu cal Technology and bored in the agar. The
Evans22. Pharmaceu cs, College of an microbial ac vity of the
Medicine, Idi-araba, Lagos state. extracts was checked by
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY For bacteria: The assay organisms introducing 300, 150 and 75mg/ml
include gram posi ve concentra ons into triplicate wells.
The an microbial ac vity of V. (Staphylococcus aureus and An addi onal well in each plate
africana and P. subcordata was Bacillus sub lis) and gram nega ve was filled with the solvent 5%
evaluated using the agar well (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas methanol as a control.
diffusion assay to determine the aeruginosa). From previously sub- Concentra ons of 50, 25, 12.5 and
suscep bility of the selected cultured plates of various assay 6.25µg/ml were prepared for the
microorganisms to the extracts of organisms, the different organisms standard reference drugs:
the aforemen oned plants. Gram were calibrated using sterile levofloxacin for bacteria and
posi ve organisms (Bacillus sub lis normal saline (15ml). Mc-Farland bifonazole for fungi, used as
and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram 0.5 standard was used as the posi ve controls. The culture
nega ve organisms (Pseudomonas turbidity standard. plates were allowed to stand on
aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) the bench for 30 min at room
and fungi (Aspergilus niger, For fungi: Spores from the fungi temperature and were incubated
Aspergilus flavus, Candida albican (Candida albican, Aspergillus niger, at 35°C for 24hours. A er 24hours,
and Penicillum spp) were used in Aspergillus flavus and Penicillum the an microbial ac vity of the
this assay. Levofloxacin, a broad spp.) were used to prepare spore extracts and the an bio cs were
spectrum an bio c that is suspension in a tween-saline determined. Zones of the
effec ve against both gram mixture. The medium is made up inhibi on around each of the
nega ve and gram posi ve of 0.05% of tween 80 in normal extracts and the an bio cs were
bacterial was used as the saline (USP). The spore load was measured to the nearest
reference drug at a concentra on adjusted to 108 spore forming unit millimeter24, 25.
of 50µg/ml, 25µg/ml, 12.5µg/ml (SFU) per ml, using a serial dilu on
and 6.25µg/ml. Bifonazole was technique. DETERMINATION OF
also used as the reference drug for ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY
the fungi, of the same Determina on of an microbial
concentra on as levofloxacin. ac vity of the extracts Prepara on of stock solu on

Prepara on of test organism The an microbial ac vi es of the Extracts of 0.1g of each were
The organisms used were bacteria different extracts were evaluated dissolved respec vely in 20ml of
(Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas by the agar well-diffusion absolute methanol. 1ml of the
aeruginosa, Bacillus sub lis and method23. Mueller-Hinton and resul ng stock solu on was
Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi Sabouraud Dextrose plates were transferred to a test tube and
(Aspergillus niger, Candida albican, inoculated by streaking the swab diluted to 10mls with dis lled
Candida pseudotropicalis and over the en re agar surface using water.
Trichophytum rubum) obtained bacterial suspensions and fungi Lipid peroxida on assay
from previously subcultured plates suspensions. The plates were
of various assay organisms in allowed to dry at room Exactly, 0.1ml of the diluted stock

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solu on was transferred into a test absorbance was read at 540nm27. (7.5% w/v) was added and made
tube, 0.1ml of liver homogenate Ascorbic acid was used as up to 10ml, further incubated for
was added and then 1.6ml of Tris- standard. The percentage (%) 90 mins at room temperature. The
HCl buffer was also added. To the inhibi on ac vity was calculated absorbance of the solu on was
resul ng solu on, 0.5ml of 10% from the following equa on: measured at 565nm. The
Trichloroace c acid (TCA) was % inhibi on = [(A0 – A1)/A0] x 100. concentra on of total phenol was
added, 0.5ml of 0.75% Where, A0 is the absorbance of the expressed as Gallic acid equivalent
thiobarbituric acid (TBA) was also Control and A1 is the absorbance (GAE) (mg/g of dry mass) which is
added to make the total volume of the extract or standard. a commonly used reference
up to 2.8mls. The solu on was value30.
then boiled for 1hour at 900C. It DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-
was then cooled in ice and picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging Es ma on of total flavonoid
centrifuged for 15 minutes at ac vity content
3000rpm. Absorbance of the
supernatant was read against the An aliquot of 0.5ml of extract in 2ml of the diluted stock was
blank at 582nm. Ascorbic acid was ethanol (95%) at different transferred into a test tube, 2ml of
26
used as standard . The scavenging concentra on (25, 50, 75 and 2% Aluminium chloride in ethanol
effect was calculated using the 100μg/ml) was mixed with 0.2ml was added. The resul ng mixture
expression of reagent solu on (0.004g of was incubated at room
% inhibi on = [A0-A1] x 100/A0 DPPH reagent in 100ml methanol). temperature for 1hour and the
Where A0 is the absorp on of the The control contained only of absorbance of the reac on
blank sample and A1 is the DPPH while methanol was used mixture was measured at 510nm.
absorp on of the extract as blank. The mixture was The calibra on curve was obtained
vigorously shaken and le to stand using different concentra ons of
31
Nitric oxide scavenging ac vity at room temperature for 30 mins. querce n in methanol .
The absorbance was read at 517
A 4ml sample of the plant extract nm28,29. The scavenging effect was RESULTS
and standard solu on of different calculated using the expression;
concentra on (25, 50, 75 and % inhibi on = [A0-A1] x 100/A0 Phytochemical Screening
100μg/ml) were taken and
transferred to separate test tubes Where A0 is the absorp on of the Phytochemical screening revealed
respec vely. 2mls of 1% sodium blank sample and A1 is the the presence of alkaloids, tannins,
nitroprusside (5mM in phosphate absorp on of the extract saponins, reducing sugar, flavonoid
buffer). The resul ng solu on was and cardiac glycoside in Voacanga
le to incubate for 2 hours and 30 Es ma on of total phenolic africana extract and cardiac
minutes at 30°C to complete the compound glycoside, saponin and flavonoid in
reac on. A er incuba on, 0.5ml of 1ml of the diluted stock was Psydrax subcordata extract.
grease reagent (1% transferred into a test tube, and
Sulphanilamide, 0.1% 0.4ml of Folin- Ciocalteu reagent Table 1: Summary of results
naphthylethylene diamine added. The resul ng solu on was obtained from phytochemical
o
dihydrochloride in 2% H3PO4 ) was incubated for 2 hours at 30 C to screening of the Plant extracts.
then added. It was then incubated complete the reac on. A er this,
again for 30 minutes and 4ml of sodium carbonate solu on

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Psydrax and cardiac glycoside in Voacanga

subcordata showed ac vity only africana extract and cardiac
Keys against Staphylococcus aureus. glycoside, saponin and flavonoid in
+ = present - = Absent The extracts demonstrated no Psydrax subcordata extract.
an fungal ac vity against The extracts; V. africana and P.
Aspergilus niger, Aspergilus flavus, subcordata (at doses of
Candida albican and Penicillum 300mg/mL, 150mg/ml and
spp. 75mg/ml, each) showed
considerable growth inhibi on
against tested organisms.
S/N Test Voacanga africana (leaves) Psydrax subcordata (leaves) Levofloxacin at all concentra ons
showed significant inhibi on
1 Test for sugars against all the tested bacterial
Molisch test + - except Escherichia coli while
Fehling's test - - Bifonazole only showed
2 Test for alkaloids considerable growth inhibi on on
Dragendoff test + - the fungus, Aspergilus niger.
Mayer test + - Among the extracts, P. subcordata
3 Test for flavonoid
had the highest percent growth
Lead acetate + +
inhibi on (27.5 ± 1.4) against
Ferric chloride + + Staphylococcus aureus at
300mg/ml, (23.5 ± 1.6) at
4 Test for tannins
150mg/ml and (19.0 ± 0.6) at
condensed tannin + -
75mg/ml. V. africana was ac ve
hdrolysable tannin + -
against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
5 Test for saponin and Bacillus sub lis organisms
frothing test + + while P. subcordata showed
6 Test for cardiac inhibi on only against
glycoside Staphylococcus aureus. The
Keller -Killiani test + + sensi vity test result showed that
Lieberman's test + + the extracts, were less potent than
Salkowski test + + the standard drugs; Levofloxacin
7 Test for
and Bifonazole, used in the study.
anthraquinone Generally, the less potency of the
Free anthraquinone - - extracts, rela ve to the standard
Combined - - drugs used in the study may be
anthraquinone due to the fact that, they are s ll
crude and require further
purifica on. The leaves extract of
An microbial ac vity DISCUSSION
V. africana had broad spectrum
an bacterial ac vity against gram
Voacanga africana had ac vity Phytochemical screening revealed
nega ve (Pseudomonas
against Bacillus sub lis, the presence of alkaloids, tannins,
aeruginosa) and gram posi ve
Staphylococcus aureus and saponins, reducing sugar, flavonoid
(Bacillus sub lis and

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Table 2: Zone of inhibi on of levofloxacin reference standard against tested bacteria

Organisms 50 µg/ml 25 µg/ml 12.5 µg/ml 6.25 µg/ml

Staphylococcus aureus 34.0 +- 1.2mm 29.0 +- 0.7mm 28.7 +- 0.5mm 22.0 +- 1.0mm

Bacillus sub lis 37.5 +- 0.3mm 35.3 +- 2.1mm 34.0 +- 2.5mm 29.7 +- 1.4mm

Pseudomonas aeruginosa 35.5 +- 0.9mm 31.3 +- 2.1mm 30.0 +- 1.4mm 20.0 +- 2.3mm

Escherichia coli - - - -

Table 3: Zone of inhibi on of the methanolic extract of V. africana against tested bacteria

Organisms 300mg/ml 150mg/ml 75mg/ml Solvent (5% methanol)

Staphylococcus aureus 20.8 + 0.5mm 20.5 + 0.5mm - -

Bacillus sub lis 20.5 + 0.3mm 18.5 + 0.9mm 17.5 + 1.0mm -

Pseudomonas aeruginosa 21.0 + 0.6mm 20.0 + 0mm 18.5 + 0.9mm -

Escherichia coli - - - -

Table 4: Zone of inhibi on of the methanolic extract of P. subcordata against tested bacteria

Organism 300mg/ml 150mg/ml 75mg/ml Solvent (5% methanol)

Staphylococcus aureus 27.5 + 1.4mm 23.5 + 1.6mm 19.0 + 0.6mm -

Bacillus sub lis - - - -

Pseudomonas aeruginosa - - - -

Escherichia coli - - - -

Table 5: Zone of inhibi on of bifonazole reference standard against tested fungi

Organisms 50 µg/ml 25 µg/ml 12.5 µg/ml 6.25 µg/ml

Aspergillus 29.0 + 2.0mm 19.8 + 0.3mm 19.5 + 0.5mm 15.5 + 0.5mm

niger

Aspergillus flavus - - - -

Candida albican - - - -

Penicillum spp. - - - -

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N/B: There was no inhibi on for P. subcordata and V. africana extracts against the fungi organisms.

An oxidant ac vity

All extracts had significant DPPH radical scavenging ac vity, lipid peroxida on and nitric oxide scavenging ac vity.
But, Voacanga africana showed more free radical scavenging ac vity than Psydrax subcordata. While Psdrax
subcordata had higher phenolic and flavonoid values than Voacanga africana leaves extract.

Table 6: Total flavonoids and phenolic

Plants Total flavonoid Total phenolic

(mg/100g) (mg/100g)

P. subcordata 28.2 + 0.05 65.2 + 0.04

V. africana 2.8 + 0.05 47.8 + 0.07

Table 7: Scavenging ac vity of V. Africana, P. subcordata and Ascorbic acid

Samples DPPH NITRIC OXIDE LIPID PEROXIDATION

Ic₅₀ (µg/ml)±SEM Ic₅₀ (µg/ml)±SEM Ic₅₀ (µg/ml)±SEM

Ascorbic acid 50 + 8.1 46.8 + 7.0 40.4 + 7.2

P. subcordata 106.9 + 5.3 80.1 + 12.9 75.4 + 11.6

V. africana 69.2 + 11.6 75.1 + 11.7 65.7 + 13.5

Fig.1: Nitric oxide scavenging

ac vity of ascorbic acid and Fig.2: DPPH scavenging ac vity Fig.3: Lipid scavenging ac vity of
methanol extract of ascorbic acid and methanol ascorbic acid and methanol extracts
extract
PS – Psydrax subcordata
VA – Voacanga africana

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Staphylococcus aureus) organism. The extracts showed significant concentra on-dependent

P. subcordata leaves extract was DPPH radical scavenging ac vity. inhibi on of lipid peroxida on
only ac ve against Staphylococcus The methanolic leaves extract (IC50 = 65.8±13.5µg/ml and
aureus. Escherichia coli were showed concentra on-dependent 75.4±11.6 µg/ml) compared to the
resistance to both the standard scavenging ac vi es in a similar standard an oxidant ascorbic acid
drug and extract samples. The manner as ascorbic acid in the (IC50 = 40.4±7.2µg/ml). This
extracts demonstrated no DPPH radical scavenging assay. corroborates the observed potent
an fungal ac vity against Basically, a higher DPPH radical- hydroxyl radical (OH) radical
Aspergilus niger, Aspergilus flavus, scavenging ac vity is associated scavenging ac vity of the extract
Candida albican and Penicillum with a lower IC50 value. From the and suggests that the extract may
spp. The an bacterial potency may result obtained, V. africana afford a protec ve effect against
be due to the presence of some exhibited a higher radical the damaging effects of free
ac ve principles, like Phenols, scavenging ac vity than P. radical. V. africana produced a
Tannins Alkaloids, Flavonoid and subcordata, when compared with more protec ve effect than P.
Cardiac glycosides32,33. Plant the ascorbic acid standard. The subcordata. It can be deduced that
phenolic cons tutes one of the IC50 values (µg/mL) of V. africana V. africana gave a be er
major groups of compounds ac ng and P. subcordata were 69.2+11.6 scavenging ac vity than P.
as primary an oxidants or free and 106.9+5.3 respec vely and subcordata.
terminators (Agarwal, 1989). the reference drug ascorbic acid
Phenolics are able to scavenge (50+8.1) suggest that the extracts CONCLUSION
reac ve oxygen species due to have lesser ability to scavenge free
their electron dona ng proper es. radicals as compared to ascorbic The present study has
The phenolic compounds such a acid. demonstrated that the crude
phenolic acid and flavonoids are extracts of Voacanga africana and
most important an oxidant food Also, V. africana and P. subcordata Psydrax subcordata have
source. The quan ta ve analysis exhibited good nitric oxide considerable an oxidant and
of phenolic acids and flavonoids by scavenging ac vity leading to the an microbial ac vi es. The results
measurement UV absorp on is reduc on of the nitrite of the bioassays on the selected
34
well known . In the present study, concentra on in the assay medicinal plants therefore give
the total phenolic and flavonoids medium. The nitric oxide scien fic credence to their
content of extract Voacanga scavenging capacity was folkloric use. Based on the findings
africana and Psydrax subcordata concentra on dependent. V. of this study, Voacanga africana
leaves were analyzed. The total africana and P. subcordata has a has a higher an microbial and
phenolic content was determined potent nitric oxide scavenging an oxidant effect than Psydrax
using Folin-Ciocalteu method, ac vity, when compared with the subcordata.
reported as Gallic acid equivalent. ascorbic standard, with IC50 values The presence of plant secondary
The total phenolic content was of 75.1+11.7, 80.1+12.9 and metabolites such as tannins,
47.8±0.07 and 65.2±0.04mg/100g 46.8+7.0 respec vely. V. africana flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides,
of extracts respec vely. Whereby showed a more potent nitric oxide saponins and phenols, accounts
the flavonoids content was scavenging ac vity than P. for the significant an oxidant and
2.8±0.05 and 28.2±0.05mg of subcordata. an microbial ac vi es of the
querce n equivalence/100g of plants. Future work will a empt to
extracts respec vely. The extracts V. africana and P. isolate and characterize pure
subcordata showed a very good compounds responsible for their

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ac vity. and facts about an bio cs: Where Drugs Aging; 15: 49–68.
we are now and where we are 15. Cross CE, Vander Vielt A
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