Antiulcerogenic Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Lasianthera Africana

The effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Lasianthera africana on experimentally induced ulcer was studied in rats. The extract (1000 – 3000mg/kg) inhibited ethanol-induced, indomethacin - induced and reserpine -induced ulcer models in a dose dependent fashion. The various degrees of inhibitions were statistically significant (p<0.01). The effect of the extract was comparable to that of the standard drugs used. Thus, Lasianthera africana extract demonstrated a good antiulcer activity which supports the antiulcer effect of this plant in traditional medicine.     

Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Aspilia Africana Leaves

This study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of the aqueous extract of Aspilia africana leaves. Oral doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg were administered for 28 days to rats after every 2 days for sub-acute toxicity. For acute toxicity, 5 doses of 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16g/Kg body weight were investigated in mice. The control groups consisted of mice or rats administered with distilled water. The signs of toxicity fluctuated lightly from one mammal to another throughout the experiment. The liver, kidneys and heart weight of rats revealed no significant differences between the test groups and the control. The results indicated that the medium lethal dose (LD₅₀) was found to be greater in females than males with an average of 6.6g/Kg body weight for both sexes. Regardless of the significant differences observed at certain points in some biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, Creatinine and Glutathione); none showed any linear dose responsiveness. On the other hand, most of the parameters investigated were found to be gender dependent. These results suggested that A Africana can be classified among substances with low toxicity.     

Hypoglycemic Effect of Treculia Africana Decne Root Bark in Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

The solvent partitioned purified fractions of the hydro-acetone root bark extract of the African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) were evaluated for hypoglycemic activities in normal and diabetic albino rats. Fasting blood glucose levels were estimated by the use of a glucometer at pre-determined intervals after oral administration of the test extracts/fractions. Results revealed that the test fractions have only a slight effect on blood sugar level of normal rats. On short term and chronic administration in diabetic rats however, diethyl ether-soluble (DEF) and the water-soluble (WSF) fractions significantly reduced the fasting blood sugar levels (p<0.05) at differing rates when compared with the control group of animals. The diethyl ether soluble fraction (10 mg kg⁻¹ dose level) was found to exhibit the highest activity giving 69.4% reduction in blood sugar level (at 240 hours) which was in comparable range with the reference standard glibenclamide (0.5 mg kg⁻¹) which reduced blood sugar levels by 65.8% below the initial baseline values.     

Histological Studies of the Effects of Oral Administration of Aspilia Africana (Asteraceae) Leaf Extract on the Ovaries of Female Wistar Rats

Histological studies of the effects of oral administration of extract of Aspilia africana, used in ethno medical practice in Africa for the management of various ailments, on the ovarian tissues of matured female Wistar rats were studied. The rats (n=24), average weight 182g were randomly assigned into two treatment (n=16) and a control (n=8) group. The rats in the treatment groups received 0.5g/kg and 1g/kg of aqueous extract of Aspilia africana orally through orogastric tube for fourteen days, while the control rats received equal volume of distilled water without the extract of Aspilia added. The rats were fed with growers'' mash and were given water liberally. The rats were sacrificed on day fifteen of the experiment. The ovary was carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10% formal saline for routine histological study after H&E method. The histological findings indicated that the treated sections of the ovary showed cellular hypertrophy of the theca folliculi, distortion of the basement membrane, degenerative and atrophic changes in the oocyte and zona granulosa. There were marked vacuolations appearing in the stroma cells. These findings indicate that Aspilia africana consumption may probably have adverse effects on the ovaries by its deleterious effects on the oocytes and stroma cells of ovary of adult Wistar rats. It is recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations be conducted.     

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of an extract,fractions, and compounds isolated from Gochnatia pulchra aerial parts

This paper reports on the in vitro antibacterial and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of a hydroethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Gochnatia pulchra (HEGP). It also describes the antibacterial activity of HEGP fractions and of the isolated compounds genkwanin, scutellarin, apigenin, and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, as evaluated by a broth microdilution method. While HEGP and its fractions did not provide promising results, the isolated compounds exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity. The most sensitive microorganism was Streptococcus pyogenes, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 100, 50 and 25 µg/mL for genkwanin and the flavonoids apigenin and scutellarin, respectively. Genkwanin produced an MIC value of 25 µg/mL against Enterococcus faecalis. A paw edema model in rats and a pleurisy inflammation model in mice aided investigation of the anti-inflammatory effects of HEGP. This study also evaluated the ability of HEGP to modulate carrageenan-induced interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production. Orally administered HEGP (250 and 500 mg/kg) inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema. Regarding carrageenan-induced pleurisy, HEGP at 50, 100, and 250 mg/kg diminished leukocyte migration by 71.43%, 69.24%, and 73.34% (P<0.05), respectively. HEGP suppressed IL-1β and MCP-1 production by 55% and 50% at 50 mg/kg (P<0.05) and 60% and 25% at 100 mg/kg (P<0.05), respectively. HEGP abated TNF-α production by macrophages by 6.6%, 33.3%, and 53.3% at 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg (P<0.05), respectively. HEGP probably exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1.     

Antibacterial Activity of a Cardanol from Thai Apis mellifera Propolis

Background: Propolis is a sticky, dark brown resinous residue made by bees that is derived from plant resins. It is used to construct and repair the nest, and in addition possesses several diverse bioactivities. Here, propolis from Apis mellifera from Nan province, Thailand, was tested for antibacterial activity against Gram^+ve (Staphylococcus aureus and Paenibacillus larvae) and Gram^-ve (Escherichia coli) bacteria.Materials and methods: The three bacterial isolates were confirmed for species designation by Gram staining and analysis of the partial sequence of 16S rDNA. Propolis was sequentially extracted by methanol, dichloromethane and hexane. The antibacterial activity was determined by agar well diffusion and microbroth dilution assays using streptomycin as a positive control. The most active crude extract was further purified by quick column and adsorption chromatography. The apparent purity of each bioactive fraction was tested by thin layer chromatography. The chemical structure of the isolated bioactive compound was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).Results: Crude methanol extract of propolis showed the best antibacterial activity with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) value of 5 mg/mL for S. aureus and E. coli and 6.25 mg/mL for P. larvae. After quick column chromatography, only three active fractions were inhibitory to the growth of S. aureus and E. coli with MIC values of 6.25 and 31.3 µg/mL, respectively. Further adsorption chromatography yielded one pure bioactive fraction (A1A) with an IC₅₀ value of 0.175 µg/mL for E. coli and 0.683 µg/mL for P. larvae, and was determined to be cardanol by NMR analysis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed unusual shaped (especially in dividing cells), damaged and dead cells in cardanol-treated E. coli.Conclusion: Thai propolis contains a promising antibacterial agent.     

Acute Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Aspilia Africana C.D. Adams on Some Haematological Parameters in Rats

Several medicinal plants have been documented for their haematological effects either at low or high concentration but very little is known about Aspilia africana. The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effects of aqueous leaf extract of Aspilia africana at different concentrations on some haematological parameters in rats. Following 14 days of oral administration of aqueous extract of A. africana, Haematocrit (HCT), Haemoglobin concentration (HB), Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Red Blood Cell Count (RBC Count), Total White Blood Cell Count (Total WBC Count), Absolute Neutrophils count (NEUT#), Absolute Lymphocytes count (LYM#), Absolute Eosinophils Count (EOSIN#) and Absolute Monocytes (MONO#) were evaluated in twenty (20) male Wistar albino rats. The rats weighed 174±20g, and were randomly assigned into 4 groups viz: Group 1, Control; Group 2, 250mg/Kg/d aqueous extract; Group 3, 500mg/Kg/d aqueous extract; and Group 4, 750mg/Kg/d aqueous extract. HCT, HB, MCHC, RBC Count, Total WBC Count, NEUT#, LYM#, EOSIN# and MONO# were significantly increased (P<0.001) in 500mg/Kg/d of A. africana extract (61.13±1.65%, 13.5±1.29g/dl, 23.33±0.0.02g/dl, 3.68±0.02 X 10¹²Cells/l, 2.33±0.02 X 10⁹Cells/l, 1.32±0.04 X 10⁹Cells/l, 1.43±0.05 X 10⁹Cells/l, 0.47±0.02 X 10⁹Cells/l and 0.47±0.04 X 10⁹Cells/l, respectively) when compared to the Control (51.13±0.85%, 9.56±0.43g/dl, 19.22±0.19g/dl, 2.69±0.01 X 10¹²Cells/l, 1.79±0.01 X 10⁹Cells/l, 0.80±0.00 X 10⁹Cells/l, 0.83±0.00 X 10⁹Cells/l, 0.18±0.00 X 10⁹Cells/l and 0.24±0.00 X 10⁹Cells/l, respectively) which received no extract at all. The 500mg/Kg of A. africana extract proved to be the most effective, while the 750mg/Kg proved to be the least effective in comparison with the control. The results of this study further strengthened the earlier works on the medicinal benefits of Aspilia africana and its virtue as a good pharmacological source of haematopoiesis.     

Antibacterial Activities of the Extracts and Conessine from Holarrhena Floribunda G. DON. (Apocynaceae)

The methanolic extract and conessine isolated from the stem bark of Holarrhena floribunda (Hf) were tested for their antibacterial activities on Bacillus: Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus stearothermophilus using the disc diffusion method. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract and fractions was also conducted. The inhibition parameters of the crude methanol extract and the total alkaloid fraction were determined using the macrodilution method. The results showed that the crude extract, the total alkaloid fraction and conessine exhibited a significant antibacterial effect against all the strains studied. The antibacterial effect of conessine is almost similar to that of chloramphenicol used as reference. The ratio of the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) over the minimal inhibitive concentration (MIC) indicates the bactericidal effect of the plant. These results support common use of stem bark of Hf and conessine isolated from Hf in the treatment of some infectious diseases.     

Hypoglycaemic activity of commelina africana and ageratum conyzoides in relation to their mineral composition

Background

Many plants with antidiabetic properties probably act in part through their content of fibre, vitamins, bioactive or mineral content

Objectives

This study investigated the mineral, proximate, phytochemical compositions and hypoglycaemic effect of Commelina africana and Ageratum conyzoides extracts in diabetic rats, and the likely relationship between this property and the mineral, proximate and phytochemical compositions of the plants.

Methods

The plants were subjected to mineral, proximate composition and phytochemical analysis. Attempt was made to see (if any) the relationship between the hypoglycaemic effect and the mineral, proximate compositions and phytochemistry of the plants. Alloxan-induced diabetic animals were administered 500mg/kg body weight aqueous extracts of the plants and glibenclamide as the reference hypoglycaemic agent.

Results

Aqueous extract of Ageratum conyzoides reduced fasting blood glucose of experimental animals by 39.1% while Commelina africana reduced the same by 78.0%. Alkaloids, cardenolides, saponins, and tannins were detected in both plants. Anthraquinones was absent in C. africana but a trace of it was detected in A. conyzoides. The hypoglycaemic effect of Commelina africana was comparable with the reference hypoglycaemic agent. Ageratum conyzoides showed comparably weaker hypoglycaemic effect than exhibited by reference hypoglycaemic agent. Comparatively, Commelina africana had higher mineral concentrations (except Na) than Ageratum conyzoides.

Conclusions

Plants'' extracts minerals (magnesium, potassium and iron) and bioactive components (alkaloids and cardenolides) seemingly enhanced their hypoglycaemic effect. Furthermore, these minerals, alkaloids and cardenolides could be helpful in ameliorating complications of diabetes like hypertension and cardiovascular disease.     

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Two Endemic Plants from Aksaray in Turkey

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol, ethanol, water, n-hexane and dicholoromethane extracts of two Allium species (Allium scabriflorum and Allium tchihatschewii) which are endemic for the flora of Turkey. The antimicrobial efficiency of the plant was evaluated according to disc diffusion and microdilution broth methods. The antimicrobial test results showed that the extracts of A. scabriflorum and A. tchihatschewii showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activity on the tested microorganisms. The extracts were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by three complementary tests; DPPH free radical-scavenging, scavenging of hydrogen peroxide and metal chelating activity assays. All the extracts of A. scabriflorum and A. tchihatschewii exhibited lower DPPH free radical scavenging activity but higher metal chelating activity when compared to standards. The values of scavenging of hydrogen peroxide of the extracts were higher than the standards that of α-tocopherol, BHA, BHT and trolox, but close to that of ascorbic acid. In addition to the antioxidant activity of these plants, the total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were also measured in the extracts. The results presented here may suggest that the extracts of A. scabriflorum and A. tchihatschewii possess antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and therefore, they can be used as a natural preservative ingredient in food and/or pharmaceutical industry.     

Absence of Organ Specific Toxicity in Rats Treated with Tonica, an Aqueous Herbal Haematinic Preparation

The sub-chronic toxicity of Tonica, an aqueous herbal haematinic prepared from the stem barks of Khaya senegalensis, Mitragyna stipulosa and Kigelia africana, was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats at 28, 280 and 560 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, representing the normal human dose, 10x and 20x that dose, respectively for 6 weeks. The growth rate of animals over the period of treatment and certain serum biochemical and haematological indices as well as urinalysis and weight of selected organs at termination, were determined. Results show that the extract did not affect the weight gain of the animals with time or the mean wet weights of selected organs. Although there were slight but insignificant (p>0.05) elevations in WBC (16–27%) and PLT (8–11%) counts in Tonica-treated animals compared to controls at 10x and 20x the normal dose, most serum biochemical, haematological and urinalysis data indicated no significant differences (p>0.05) between tests and control rats. There were also no changes in the morphology of liver, kidney, lung and heart tissues as a result of Tonica treatment. These findings suggest that Tonica is safe at the dosage regimens administered to the animals in this study, and there appears to be no overt organ specific toxicity associated with it.     

Antibacterial Screening of Aegle Marmelos, Lawsonia Inermis and Albizzia Libbeck

Three medicinal plant Aegle marmelos, Lawsonia inermis, Albizzia libbeck were extracted by soxhlet apparatus using petroleum ether, ethanol, chloroform and aqueous as solvent. Among those extract, the petroleum ether was considered as effective one. The extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and the three plants with four extracts were tested against three Gram positive bacteria (B.cereus, B.subtilis, S. aureus) and three Gram negative bacteria (E.coli, P.vulgaris, and P.aeruginosa) by disc diffusion method. Maximum inhibition (3.8cm) was recorded in Lawsonia inermis. It also showed inhibitory action against all the six pathogen tested. The zone of inhibition of the extracts was compared with the standard antibiotics Streptomycin and Spectinomycin. The study suggests that the plant is promising the development of phytomedicine for antimicrobial properties.     

Antibacterial activity of serine protease inhibitor 1 from kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus

Serine protease inhibitors (Serpins) are a large family of protease inhibitors involved in many critical biological processes such as blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, programmed cell death, development, and innate immunity. We identified MjSerp1, a serpin in the kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus. The MjSerp1 cDNA has a 1239 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a 412–amino acid protein with a 23 aa signal peptide and a classic serpin domain. MjSerp1 has a calculated molecular mass of 46.3 kDa and a predicted isoelectric point of 5.51. MjSerp1 is mainly expressed in the hepatopancreas and the intestines, and is moderately expressed in hemocytes. Expression pattern analysis indicated that MjSerp1 is upregulated in the hepatopancreas after Vibrio anguillarum challenge. rMjSerp1 inhibits three Gram-positive bacteria and two Gram-negative bacteria, but does not inhibit phenoloxidase activity. The microorganism binding assay showed that rMjSerp1 closely binds to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. MjSerp1 also exhibits inhibitory activity against microbial serine proteases, such as subtilisin A and proteinase K, indicating that MjSerp1 acts as a microbial serine protease inhibitor. rMjSerp1 injection into shrimp enhances V. anguillarum clearance, but MjSerp1 knockdown through RNA interference impairs Vibrio clearance in vivo. These results indicate that MjSerp1 functions as a direct effector in the bacterial clearance of M. japonicus. All together, our findings provide novel evidences for the serine protease inhibitor in shrimp immunity.     

New Antitrypanosomal Tetranotriterpenoids from Azadirachta Indica

Organic extracts of the leaves of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. yielded ten antitrypanosomal terpenoids. Three of these (1 – 3), are novel and are derivatives of nimbolide and nimbin. They were extracted from chloroform fraction of methanol extract. These compounds were found to exhibit strong antitrypanosomal activities against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense with MIC values ranging of 6.9, 15.6 and 7.8 µg/ml respectively and were more active than Cymerlarsan ( a standard drug), which had an MIC value of 187.5 µg/ml when tested against T. b. rhodesiense The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including; NMR, MS, UV and IR.     

Evaluation of 17 Medicinal Plants from Northern C?te D'Ivoire for their In Vitro Activity Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Twenty crude extracts from 17 species out of 11 families were assessed for their antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcus). The selected plants are used in Northern Côte d''Ivoire to treat various infections including respiratory track diseases. From all the tested extracts, only 7 from 6 plants showed a promising in vitro bactericidal activity against Peumococcus, including strains resistant to penicillin. The most active extracts were from Erythrina senegalensis (Fabaceae), Piliostigma thonningii (Caesalpiniaceae), Waltheria indica (Sterculiaceae), Andira inermis (Fabaceae), Uapaca togoensis (Euphorbiaceae), Keetia hispida (Rubiaceae) and Combretum molle (Combretaceae). This is the first time that the antipneumococcal activity of the tested plants is reported. The results of this preliminary investigation support the traditional use of these plants in the treatment of pneumococcal infections. The most active of them could be candidates for isolation of compounds which could serve as lead structures for the development of new drugs against Streptococcus pneumoniae.     

Antibacterial Activity of Tabernaemontana Stapfiana Britten (Apocynaceae) Extracts

Antibacterial and phytochemical screening of methanolic, sequential extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol) and alkaloid rich fractions of Tabernaemontana stapfiana Britten was carried out. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins and saponins that have been associated with antimicrobial activity. The stem and root bark methanolic extracts showed good activity against the bacterial strains used including the multiple drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 15.6 to 500 µg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentrations ranging from 31.25 to 500 µg/ml. The sequential extracts of the root and stem bark had high antimicrobial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging between 3.9 and 250 µg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) ranging between 7.8 and 500 µg/ml against the tested microorganisms. The dichloromethane extract of the alkaloid rich fractions however exhibited reduced antibacterial activities as compared to methanol and sequential extracts but the dichloromethane:methanol (4:1) mixture showed high activity with MICs ranging between 15.6 and 250 µg/ml. These antibacterial efficacy studies suggest that Tabernaemontana stapfiana Britten could be a source of antibacterial agents.     

Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antiproliferative Activities of the Acetone Extract of the Roots of Senna Italica (Fabaceae)

Senna italica, a member of the Fabaceae family (subfamily Caesalpinaceae), is widely used traditionally to treat a number of disease conditions, such as sexually transmitted diseases and some forms of intestinal complications. The roots of Senna italica were collected from Zebediela subregion, Limpopo province (S.A), powdered and extracted with acetone by cold/shaking extraction method. The phytochemical composition of the extract was determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The chromatograms were visualised with vanillin-sulphuric acid and p-anisaldehyde reagents. The total phenolic content of the extract was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and expressed as TAE/g dry weight. The extract was assayed for the in vitro anticancer activity using Jurkat T cells, antioxidant activity using DPPH assay and antibacterial activity by bioautographic method and the microtitre plate method. The acetone extract of the roots of Senna italica inhibited the growth of Jurkat T cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The extract also had free radical scavenging activity as well as reasonable antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with MICs ranging from 0,08 to 0.16 mg/ml in the same order as ampicillin the positive control. The biological activities observed in the acetone extract validated the ethnomedicinal use of Senna italica.     

Antiplasmodial activity of some phenolic compounds from Cameroonians Allanblackia

BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum, one of the causative agents of malaria, has high adaptability through mutation and is resistant to many types of anti-malarial drugs. This study presents an in vitro assessment of the antiplasmodial activity of some phenolic compounds isolated from plants of the genus Allanblackia.MethodsTests were performed on well plates filled with a fixed parasitized erythrocytes volume. Compounds to be tested were then added in wells. After incubation, tritiated hypoxanthine is added and the plates were returned to the incubator. After thawing, the nucleic acids are collected. Inhibitory Concentration 50 (IC50) was determined by linear interpolation.ResultsFrom Allanblackia floribunda, have been isolated and characterized 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone 1, macluraxanthone 4, morelloflavone 9, Volkensiflavone 10 and morelloflavone 7-O-glucoside 11; from Allanblackia monticola, α-mangosine 2, rubraxanthone 3, allaxanthone C 5, norcowanine 6, tovophiline A 7, allaxanthone B 8 and from Allanblackia gabonensis, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone 1. Six of them were evaluated for their antimalarial properties. The most active compound, macluraxanthone, presented a very interesting activity, with an IC50 of 0.36 and 0.27 µg/mL with the F32 and FcM29 strains respectively.ConclusionThis work confirms that species of Allanblackia genus are medicinally important plants containing many biologically active compounds that can be used effectively as antiplasmodial.     

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Flavonoid Glycosides from Ficus Exasperata Vahl-Holl (Moraceae) Leaves

Background

Ficus exasperata Vahl-Holl (Moraceae) leaves are used for infectious and inflammatory conditions in many West African Countries. However, there is need for more phytochemical studies to justify the ethnomedicinal uses of the plant.

Material and Methods

The crude 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of the leaves was partitioned successively between water and; n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The fractions were subjected to antimicrobial activity using agar diffusion test. n-Butanol fraction, which showed both antimicrobial and radical scavenging activities was subjected to repeated chromatographic fractionation on both silica and Sephadex LH-20 columns. Each stage of the purification was monitored by thin layer chromatographic diphenylpicryl hydrazyl autographic assay. Three compounds were isolated. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods, shift reagent studies, acid hydrolysis, and by comparison with literature data.

Results

The compounds were identified as apigenin C-8 glucoside (1), isoquercitrin-6-O-4-hydroxybenzoate (2) and quercetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside (3). The solvent fractions and isolated compounds were found to inhibit the growth of Gram +ve organisms only.

Conclusion

These flavonoid glycosides are being reported in this plant species for the first time. Their weak in vitro antimicrobial activity suggest the flavonoids may be acting as pro-drug. The radical scavenging activity of the compounds may justify some of the ethnomedicinal uses of the plant as free radicals are implicated in the aetiology of many inflammatory diseases.