Medicinal potential of the root of Arctotis arctotoides

• Published in: Pharmaceutical biology Vol. 45; no. 6; pp. 486 - 493
• Main Authors: Afolayan, A.J, Jimoh, F.O, Sofidiya, M.O, Koduru, S, Lewu, F.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Informa UK Ltd 01.01.2007; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: animal pathogenic bacteria; Antibacterial activity; antifungal activity; antifungal properties; antimicrobial properties; antioxidant activity; Arctotis; Arctotis arctotoides; flavonoids; free radical scavenging activity; Gram-negative bacteria; Gram-positive bacteria; herbal medicines; medicinal plants; medicinal properties; phenols; plant extracts; polyphenols; proanthocyanidins; reducing capacity; roots; traditional medicine
• ISSN: 1388-0209; 1744-5116
• DOI: 10.1080/13880200701389383

Abstract The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the acetone, methanol, and water extracts from the root of Arctotis arctotoides. (L.f.) O. Hoffm (Asteraceae) were assessed in an effort to validate the medicinal potential of the subterranean part of the herb. The antioxidant activities of acetone and methanol extracts as determined by the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods were higher than that of water extracts. The extracts showed significant activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The strongest activity was found in the acetone extract on Bacillus cereus., Staphylococcus aureus., Micrococcus kristinae., and Streptococcus pyrogens. with an MIC of 0.1 mg mL. Although not completely fungicidal, these extracts showed significant growth inhibition against all the fungi tested. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts were strongly correlated with total phenols and to a lesser extent with their flavonoids and proanthocyanidins contents. This study has validated the medicinal potential of the underground part of A. arctotoides..