Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Hydroethanolic Extract from Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae) Collected in Togo

Abstract

Native tropical floras are invaded by non-native species, creating some ecological disorders. Many of them are new reports for local flora but also, they are known to have some medicinal uses in their original regions for human therapy. That seems to be the case of Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae). This study aims to provide a synoptic overview of this species in Togolese country and to verify whether the bibliographically reported uses are scientifically verifiable. For this, the species’ leafy stem and root were harvested in the Agoè-Nyive 1 district (Lomé), then washed and dried under shade. The samples were crushed and macerated in hydroethanol solvent. Phytochemical screenings were performed. The antioxidant activities were estimated by FRAP method. In vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated using microdilution method. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Enterococcus faecalis "resistant strain", E. coli "NDM resistant strain", K. pneumoniae "Oxa 48 resistant strain", Trichophyton tonsurans and T. mentagrophytes were tested. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phytochemical groups as polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins. The leafy stem showed better antioxidant activity than the root. Hydroethanol extracts showed that leafy stem and root of A. indica are microbiostatic against the strains tested.