Evaluation Of Phytochemicals, Anthelmintic, Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory And Antioxidant Properties Of Methanol Extracts Of Seed, Leaf, Stem Bark And Root Of Ceiba Pentandra (Kapok).

Abstract

This study looked at phytochemicals, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of extracts of seeds, leaves, stem and root barks of Ceiba pentandra. Parts of the plant investigated were soxhlet extracted with methanol. The extracts were phytochemically screened and their anthelmintic activities investigated using Millsonia ghanensis (Earthworms). Antimicrobial activity of the extracts were also investigated using Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumonia via broth dilution method. 2,2diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacities (TACs) of the extracts were also studied. Anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts were investigated via carrageenan-induced foot oedema in a week old chicks. Phytochemical screening of the extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and cyanogenic glycosides. Anthelmintic activity of methanol extracts of the seed, leave and stem bark were effective on the helminths when compared with the results obtained for standard drug (mebendazole). However, the root extract had a reduced activity on helminths as compared with the results of the standard drug (mebendazole). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged from 1.5625-12.5mg/mL whilst minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were from 6.2525.0 mg/mL. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) (µg/mL) recorded in DPPH assay were 31.90 (ascorbic acid), 5.41 (seed extract), 18.18 (leave extract), 6.10 (stem bark extract) and 19.17 (root extract) whilst mean total antioxidant capacity (g AAE/100 g) were 188.71 ± 0.06 (seed extract), 131.56 ± 13.21 (leave extract), 242.18 ± 5.41 (stem bark extract) and 66.37 ± 2.30 (root extract). Median effective dose (ED50) of carrageenan-induced chicks were 33.13 (seed extract), 22.74 (leave extract), 27.08 (stem bark extract), 43.08 (root extract) and 9.171 mg/kg (standard drug). These results indicate that Ceiba pentandra has comparable nutraceutical effect to the standard drugs used. Thus Ceiba pentandra could be used in herbal drugs formulations to treat earthworm and other microbes induced infections. Thin-layer chromatography and toxicological profile of Ceiba pentandra must be investigated to improve its use in herbal medicine formulations.