Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Commiphora kerstingii Engl. stem bark extract.

摘要

The methanolic extract of C. kerstingii stem bark was screened for antioxidant activity using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging assay to obtain an IC₅₀ value of 26.27+or-0.24 micro g cm-3 compared to ascorbic acid with an IC₅₀ value of 33.59+or-0.21 micro g cm-3 used as the control. Antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and P. fluorescens was tested. Staphylococcus aureus was the most inhibited by the methanolic extract with diameter of inhibition zone of 30 mm while P. fluorescens was the least inhibited with diameter of inhibition zone of 16 mm. Phytochemical investigation showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquiniones, cardiac glycosides, tannins and flavonoids in the methanolic extract of C. kerstingii stem bark.