Antimicrobial Capacity, Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Extract from the Leaf of Erigeron floribundus

Abstract

Fresh leaves of Erigeron floribundus were obtained, and its ethanolic extract was assessed for antimicrobial, antioxidant-free radical scavenging activity as well as phytochemical constituents. Hemolytic activities were also screened to know whether the extract will lyse the blood agar. Six pathogenic bacteria; the gram-positive, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium species, Staphylococcus aureus, and the gram-negative: Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, were screened for susceptibilities to the antimicrobial activity of the leaf extract. Five fungi, Yeast, Penicillium sp, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus fumigatus, were also screened for antifungal properties of the extract. The result indicated that the plant extract showed antimicrobial action but to a varying degree. The extract was screened for its antioxidant property and free radical scavenging capacity. The result indicated that it has high activity in reducing iron chloride solution and high activity in (DPPH) radicals scavenging test. The phytochemical screening of the extracts showed some bioactive ingredient of pharmacological importance like Tannin, Cardiaglycosides, and Saponin. Hemolytic assay of the extract showed that it could lyse blood cells.