Investigation of the Antimicrobial activity, Antioxidant properties and Phytochemical Analysis of Osyris quadripartite

Abstract

Osris quadripartite (African sandal wood in English, Qeret in Amharic) belongs to santalacea family which locally used to treat diarrhea, sexually transmitted diseases, anemia, cancer and wounds. The antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts of the root, stem bark and leaf of O. quadripartite, evaluated using disc diffusion method, and showed an effect on the growth of S.aures and S.typhimurium at a concentration of 100g/ml and 150g/ml but not on L. monocytogenes and C. albican. Petroleum ether extract of all plant parts has also a slight effect on E.coli at a concentration of 100g/ml and 150g/ml. Methanol extract of root, stem bark and leaf has no effect on all tested microbial. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of methanol extract of the root has highest antioxidant capacity (IC50=102.9g/ml) than stem bark (IC50=168.57g/ml) and leaf (IC50=214.81g/ml) respectively. Ethyl acetate extract of root has the highest antioxidant activity (IC50=340.5g/ml) than leaf (IC50=452.6g/ml) and stem bark (IC50=859.29g/ml) respectively. The strong antioxidant activity of methanol extract is due to the presence of more phenolic compounds which has better hydrogen donating ability. Methanol extract of root, stem bark and leaf of O.quadripartita contained terpenoid, sterol, flavonoid, tannin and phenol. Saponin was present in methanol extract of stem bark and root but not on the leaf. Tannin and phenol were also found in ethyl acetate extract of all plant parts. In petroleum ether extract only flavonoid was found in root stem bark and leaf. The root and stem bark of O.qudripartita was very important for dyeing in textile industry and coloring material in food industries.