Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant activities, antibacterial
activities and a phytochemical constituent of Asparagus laricinus stem and leaf
extracts. Determination of antibacterial activity of extracts was assessed by
agar dilution method and antioxidant properties by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH) assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the
leaf was at a concentration of 0.125 mg/mL against S. saprophyticus and E.
cloacae, and at a concentration of 1 mg/mL against S. aureus and B. subtilis.
There was no MIC of the stem extract at any concentration. The leaf extract
showed effective free radical scavenging activity (72.1%), while stem extract
had low activity. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of these plant extracts
revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids and phlobatannins. The
leaf extract further confirmed the presence of glycosides, steroids, ternoids
and carbohydrates. Our results indicate that, A. laricinus leaf extracts have
potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.
