Comparative Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Ficus capensis, Aristolochia ringens, Albizia zygia and Lannea welwitschii

Abstract

The present study was aimed at a comparative study of the phytoconstituents, antioxidant and
antimicrobial properties of four medicinal plants, Ficus capensis, Aristolochia ringens, Albizia zygia and Lannea
welwitschii. The leaf of F. capensis and stem bark of A. ringens, A. zygia and L. welwitschii were extracted using
methanol. Phytochemical analysis was done spectrophotometrically. Three in vitro antioxidant tests-hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydroxyl (DPPH) scavenging models were employed.
Antimicrobial test was done by agar diffusion method against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiela pneumonia,
Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Aspergittus spp. Phytochemical
analysis revealed that the most abundant phytoconstituents were flavonoids (F. capensis and A. zygia), reducing
sugar, terpenoids, alkaloids and tannins. In the antioxidant models, A. zygia was found to produce the least IC50 in two
of the models (NO and DPPH). Results of the antimicrobial tests showed that A. zygia showed a broader spectrum of
activity than other plants. This study has shown that these plants possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities
which further justify their usage in traditional medicines. A. zygia featured prominently in these activities. Also
flavonoids could be responsible for the bioactivities of these plants.