Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: Plants have been the source of medication for thousands of years and several
modern drugs have been derived from plants. Bersama abyssinica, locally ???? (Amharic) is used
to treat diseases such as wound, diarrhea, dermatophyte, diabetes and cancer by traditional healers.
Medicinal plants would be potential sources of therapeutic agents. B. abyssinica seeds are
traditionally used as medicine, but little is known about the phytoconstituents and biological
activities.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical content, antioxidant activities and
antimicrobial activities of the seeds extract of B. abyssinica.
Methods: The seeds of B. abyssinica were extracted by 80% methanol maceration and
hydrodistilation. Thin layer chromatography and silica gel column chromatography were used to
separate solvent fractions. Hydrodistilate of B. abyssinica seeds was subjected to GC-MS analysis
to determine phytochemical compositions. The antioxidant activities were assessed by using 2,2-
diphenyl-1-picrylhydroxyl, thiobarbituric acid-reactive species, and reducing power assays. The
crude extracts and solvent fraction were tested for antimicrobial activity in vitro using disc
diffusion method.
Result: Phytochemical screening tests showed the presence of saponins, glycosides, tannins,
steroids, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of
volatile compounds belonging to terpenes including ?-pinene (23.85%), eucalyptol (20.74%), ? -
pinene (5.75%), D-limonene (4.05%), ?-terpinene (2.94%) and o-cymene (5.02%). The IC50 values
of DPPH assay for crude extract, Base 2, Base 4 and ascorbic acid were 8.66 � 0.20,10.60 �
0.32,65.00 � 2.87 and 75.85 � 0.05 礸/mL respectively. Crude extract (16.7 � 1.5 mm), Base 2
(17.0 � 2.6 mm) and Base 4 (14.3 � 1.5 mm) showed promising antibacterial activities against P.
aeruginosa compared to ceftriaxone (27.3 � 2.1 mm). Crude extract (24.7 � 1.5 mm), Base 2 (21.0
� 1.0 mm) and Base 4 (15.3 � 1.6 mm) showed strong antifungal activities against C. albicans
(21.3 � 2.5 mm) compared to ketoconazole (22.0 � 2.0 mm).
Conclusions? B. abyssinica seeds contain bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant and
antibacterial properties. Therefore, the presence of various bioactive compounds in the seeds of
the plant provides more opportunities for the discovery of pharmaceutical agent.
Key Words: Bersama abyssinica., Extraction, Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Antimicrobia
