Study of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of Zanthoxylum chalybeum and Euphorbia ingens: Medicinal plants from Malawi

F D Kumwenda; J Sumani; W Jere; B Namandwa; K K Nyirenda; J Mwatseteza

doi:10.14719/pst.4526

Authors

F D Kumwenda Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi;Department of Basic Sciences, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6359-2977
J Sumani Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0174-6221
W Jere Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, Africa Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture and Fisheries, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9353-8907
B Namandwa Department of Basic Sciences, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9256-5602
K K Nyirenda Department of Pharmacy, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, P/B 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2605-4501
J Mwatseteza Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0961-8382

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4526

Keywords:

antioxidants, antibacterial, Euphorbia ingens, medicinal plants, total phenolic, Zan thoxylum chalybeum

Abstract

This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of two medicinal plants from Malawi: Zanthoxylum chalybeum and Euphorbia ingens. Plant extracts were obtained sequentially macerating the root powder with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. Total phenolics and flavonoids were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminum chloride methods, respectively, while antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated using the disc diffusion method. Flavonoids ranged from 13.40 to 30.27 mg/g for Z. chalybeum extracts and 21.76 to 66.27 mg/g for E. ingens, with the highest amounts in ethyl acetate extracts of both plants. Both plants had the highest amounts of total phenolics in methanol extracts, with Z. chalybeum and E. ingens exhibiting 284.85 and 351.59 mg/g, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity test showed that E. ingens, with IC50 values of 11.28 and 12.85 ?g/mL for the aqueous and methanol extracts, respectively, is a stronger antioxidant than Z. chalybeum. The FRAP activity was highest in methanol extracts for E. ingens (2831.77±179.02 mg/g) and Z. chalybeum (799.15±32.43 mg/g). Both plants exhibited more potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus compared to P. aeruginosa. Dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of Z. chalybeum showed significant activity against S. aureus with MIC values of 1.56 mg/mL, demonstrating their strong inhibitory potential. The study has revealed that both E. ingens and Z. chalybeum roots would be excellent natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents.

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