Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
Research on medicinal plants has extensively explored their antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties due to rising bacterial antibiotic resistance. Aloe species have traditionally been used for their therapeutic benefits. This study focused on Aloiampelos ciliaris, conducting phytochemical screening and evaluating its antioxidant and antibacterial activities, along with total phenolic and flavonoid content. Samples from Meru County, Kenya, were extracted using 80% methanol and partitioned with solvents of increasing polarity. The DPPH assay measured antioxidant activity, ranging from 15.67% (IC50 > 0.0300) to 74.74% (IC50 > 0.0300). Total phenolic content, expressed as Gallic acid equivalent (GAE), varied from 105.89 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g in flower crude extract to 1.46 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g in flower DCM extract. Total flavonoid content, expressed as quercetin equivalent (QE), ranged from 182.69 ± 1.64 mg QE/g in root crude extract to 3.59 ± 0.41 mg QE/g in flower n-hexane extract. Antibacterial tests against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria showed inhibition zones, with Escherichia coli in EtOAc exhibiting a 112.0 ± 0.500 mm zone of inhibition and Bacilus subtilis with a 7.0±0.000 zone. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, phenols, and saponins. GC-MS detected compounds such as methyl-cyclohexane and dodecane. The bioactive compounds in A. ciliaris highlight its potential as a valuable natural resource for treating various diseases.
Key words: Aloiampelos ciliaries, extracts, Antibacterial, antioxidant, phytochemical screening.
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