In vitro anti-helminthic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Aspilia silphioides leaves

Abstract

The leaves of Aspilia silphioides have been used traditionally for wound healing, stomach aches, headaches, worm infestations, and birth control. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial, anti-helminthic, and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract A. silphioides and identify the phytochemical components of the extract. Standard methods were employed for the phytochemical screening. The broth dilution method was utilized in assessing the antimicrobial activity. DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays were employed to assess the antioxidant capacity. In vitro, anti-helminthic activity was determined using Eudrilus eugeniae. Phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, carotenoids, steroids, polyphenols, phytosterol, quinones, alkaloids, and terpenoids were present in the extracts. As the highest activity of the methanolic extract against Streptococcus aureus, a minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5 mg mL was obtained. The IC50 of the methanol extract and the reference drug with regards to the DPPH scavenging activity were 4.66 µg/mL, and 40.29 µg/mL respectively. At 20 µg/mL, the paralysis and death time for both the methanol extract and Mebendazole drug were 25 min, 28 min, 67 min, and 94 min respectively. The IC50 obtained for the hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay for the methanol extract and gallic acid were respectively 39.70 µg/mL, and 32.62 µg/mL. Compounds identified in the extract of A. silphioides included 9-Octadecenamide, 2-(3-acetoxy-4,4,14-trimethylandrost-8-en-17-yl) propanoic acid, 17-acetoxy-3a-methoxy-4,4-dimethyl-14-seco-3,9-epoxyandrostane-8,14dione, α-Amyrin, 4-[(2,4-dinitrophenyl) azo]-1-methylethylesterbenzenpropanoic acid, 5aPregn-16-en-20-one-3a,12a-dihydroxy-5a–diacetate. The methanol extract of Aspilia silphioides possesses antioxidant, anti-helminthic, and antimicrobial properties as a result of the important phytochemicals it contains.