Phytochemical Analysis, in vitro Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Anti-hyperglycemic Activities of Root Extracts of Cissus aralioides (Welw)

Abstract

Background: Cissus aralioides is commonly found in tropical Africa with diverse therapeutic use in African folk medicine. Various parts of the plant have been utilized ethnopharmacologically as a remedy for microbial infections, arthritis, gout swelling, rheumatism, and some other diseases. Objective: This work was to determine the phytochemical, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperglycemic activity of root extracts of Cissus aralioides. Materials and Methods: The root of C. aralioides were cold extracted with methanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane. The extracts were subjected to proximate, phytochemical analyses, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperglycemic assays. Results: The alkaloids and phenolic compounds were present in all the extracts. S. aureus was sensitive to the inhibitions of n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts in a concentration-dependent manner. B. subtilis was susceptible to the activities of n-hexane extract in a dose-dependent manner. The extracts were also mildly active against the growth of C. albicans. Furthermore, the extracts were able to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals as well as reduce the Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in a dose-dependent manner. Methanol extract showed good anti-inflammatory activity, but not in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusion: The extracts of the plant have shown some pharmacological activities validating the folkloric use of the plant in treating various diseases.