Phytochemical, Antimicrobioal and Antioxidant Potential of Various Solvent Extracts of Euphorbia Milii DES MOUL Moul.

Abstract

The present study was intended to explore the phytochemical, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of the E. milii stem. The stem of E. milii was extracted using solvents of various polarities such as hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, ethyl alcohol and water. Solvent extracts of E. milii stem were screened for phytochemicals, total phenol, flavonoid and tannin contents by using conventional protocols. Antimicrobial activity of bacteria and fungi was carried out by using agar well diffusion method. MIC, MBC and MFC were evaluated by broth dilution method. Antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH (2,2-dyphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. The results revealed that most of the phytochemicals tested were positive in crude stem extracts. Ethyl alcohol, methanol and aqueous extracts of E. milii stem were found to be more positive towards most of the phytochemicals such as steroids, terpenoids, saponins and flavonoids except free and combined reducing sugars. Methanol extract was found more potential and displayed very good antibacterial activity than the positive control (Streptomycin) and other solvent extracts. MIC values were observed to be in the range of 12.5 mg/ml to 75mg/ml and MBC values from 25 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml. Methanol and aqueous extracts of E. milii stem showed the highest antifungal activity against all the fungal strains tested than the positive control fluconazole with MIC values ranged between 6.25 to 25 mg/ml and MFC values from 12.5 to 50 mg/ml. Ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts exhibited highest antioxidant activity and total phenol, flavonoid and tannin contents. The phytochemical, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity results suggesting that the stem of E. milii plant possesses potential bioactive compounds.