The antimicrobial activity of the Centipeda minima L. (Asteraceae) extract was evaluated against seven microorganisms using the disc diffusion method. The extract showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against all the tested bacterial strains, especially Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia enterocolitica. The chemical composition of the extract obtained from Centipeda minima was analysed by GC–MS. Twenty three compounds, constituting about 84.75 % of the total extract, were identified. The main constituents were palmitic acid (7.47%), (Z,Z)-9-,12-octadecatrienoic acid (6.52%), (Z,Z,Z)-9-,12-octadecatrienoic acid (7.01%), phytol (7.01%), naptho[2.3-b]furan-2-(3H)-on (6.21%), 1-(1,2,3,4,7,7a-hexahydro-1,4,4,5-tetramethyl-1,3a-ethano-3aH-inden-6-yl)etanon (7.95%), 1,3,5-tri-tertbutyl-benzene (4.52%), (3Z)-2-methyl-3-octen-2-ol (5.95%) and artemisia ketone (4.98%). The extract was also tested against brine shrimp for toxicity. There was no significant toxicity as it only recorded a LC50 value of 4.92 mg/ml. The study shows that the extract is a good antimicrobial agent with potential applications in public health against diseases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of different parts of Ixora species.

METHODSAntimicrobial activity was carried out using disc diffusion assay against fungi, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

RESULTSAll methanolic extracts of different parts of Ixora species showed a broad-spectrum of antibacterial and antiyeast activities, which inhibited the growth of at least one bacterium or yeast. There was no remarkable difference between different Ixora species observed in this study.

CONCLUSIONSThe significant antimicrobial activity shown by this Ixora species suggests its potential against infections caused by pathogens. The extract may be developed as an antimicrobial agent.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; drug effects ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rubiaceae ; classification ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of Lantana camara (L. camara) various parts and the determination of their total phenolics content.

METHODSThe extract was screened for possible antioxidant activities by free radical scavenging activity(DPPH), xanthine oxidase inhibition activity and Griess-Ilosvay method.

RESULTSThe results showed that all the plant parts possessed antioxidant properties including radical scavenging, xanthine oxidase inhibition and nitrites scavenging activities. The antioxidative activities were correlated with the total phenol. The leaves extract of L. camara was more effective than that of other parts.

CONCLUSIONSThis study suggests that L. camara extracts exhibit great potential for antioxidant activity and may be useful for their nutritional and medicinal functions.

Allopurinol ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lantana ; chemistry ; Methanol ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Solvents