Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF ALKALOIDS RICH FRACTION OF MUCUNA PURIENS LEAF

Chisom Ahamefula, Obinna Ajah, Cecilia Chika Unegbu and Ikenna Elvis Nnaoma*

ABSTRACT

Bacterial infections and oxidative stress are among the leading causes of health disorder affecting the populace in many African countries. This study investigated the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of an alkaloid-rich fraction of Mucuna pruriens leaf. The antioxidant potential was assayed using some standard methods (reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay and lipid peroxidation assay). The antibacterial activity was done using standard disc diffusion sensitivity method. The result showed a concentration dependent antioxidant potential. The nitric oxide scavenging activity ranged from 22.80 – 52.60%, the hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity ranged from 28.20 – 58.70% and the percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation ranged from 44.80 – 54.64%. The results of the antibacterial efficacy of the alkaloid-rich fraction, showed resonable antibacterial response across various strains, with a notable effectiveness against gram-negative bacteria with Pseusomonas aeruginosa (10.63mm), Salmonella typhi (9.00mm) and E. coli (8.73mm) as the most susceptible bacteria. These results contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of natural antioxidants from medicinal plants as effective alternatives therapeutic agent, with the alkaloid-rich fraction demonstrating promising antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Keywords: Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Alkaloids rich, Mucuna puriens.