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

ABSTRACT

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 vitaceae family are known for their potent antioxidant and antibacterial phytoconstituents, among other biological properties. Cyphostemma adenocaule 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 Cyphostemma adenocaule, 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 IC₅₀ of 10.87µg/ml, followed by nHexane (IC₅₀ 74.10µg/ml) and chloroform (IC₅₀ 74.31µg/ml) extract. In the antibacterial assay, the chloroform extract was active against E. coli (24.00±0.15) and moderate activity against Staph. aureus (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 Cyphostemma adenocaule with scientific evidence into its biological properties.

Keywords: Cyphostemma adenocaule, Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and antibacterial activity