Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of the Root Extract of Cyphostemma Adenocaule (Steud. Ex A. Rich.) Wild & R.B.Drumm

Abstract

<p><b>ABSTRACT</b></p><p></p><p>Plant secondary metabolites had provided important bioactive principles for developing new lead compounds. Within their confinement, they exhibit unique chemical diversity, which influence their diverse biological properties. The <i>vitaceae</i> family are known for their potent antioxidant and antibacterial phytoconstituents, among other biological properties. <i>Cyphostemma adenocaule</i> is one of the family members explored for its ethnomedicinal properties. This study undertook the evaluation of the phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the root extract of <i>Cyphostemma adenocaule</i>, as well as, evaluating their Biological properties; antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) and antibacterial activity (agar well diffusion test). Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates & glycoside, alkaloids, saponins and tannins. The methanol root extract had the highest percentage in the DPPH assay, providing 50% inhibition IC<sub>50 </sub>of 10.87µg/ml, followed by nHexane (IC<sub>50</sub> 74.10µg/ml) and chloroform (IC<sub>50</sub> 74.31µg/ml) extract. In the antibacterial assay, the chloroform extract was active against <i>E. coli</i> (24.00±0.15) and moderate activity against <i>Staph. aureus</i> (12.5±0.18). The nHex extract was completely inactive against the test organism while the methanol extract showed poor activity against the test organism. The present study adds to the existing literature on <i>Cyphostemma adenocaule</i> with scientific evidence into its biological properties. </p> <p>Keywords: <i>Cyphostemma adenocaule</i>, Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and antibacterial activity</p><b></b><p></p>