Original Articles: 2016 Vol: 8 Issue: 8
Anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of Tridax procumbens
Abstract
Tridax procumbens, is a weed extensively used in traditional medicine as anticoagulant, antifungal and insect repellent. Water extract of leaf and flower contained more proteins when compared to its methanolic counterpart. The same was observed in case of total free phenol present wherein among the methanolic extracts, leaf showed good result when compared to flower. Hydroxyl free radical scavenging assay is an assay to determine the antioxidant property of the sample. Water extract of flower and leaf gave the maximum hydroxyl scavenging activity of 33.5±1.2% and 27.32±0.98%. Methanolic extract of flower followed this result 22.5±2.14% where methanolic leaf extract gave 17.25±1.34%. Methanolic extract of flower gave a maximum α-amylase inhibition of 20.7±2.54% at pH 3 wherein the water extract of flower gave maximum at pH 7. This was followed by water extract of leaf (pH 3) and its methanolic extract (pH 3). P.aragenosa was found to be more susceptible to the extracts when compared to other microorganisms. Methanolic extract of flower was found to inhibit P.aragenosa, E.coli, and B.cereus. wherein methanolic extract of leaf gave maximum zone against P.fluroscence. Methanolic extracts alone were found to have haemolytic activity wherein the methanolic flower extract gave a zone of 3±0.05 mm and methanolic leaf extract gave 2±0.01 mm. Water extract of the samples did not give any zones and were found to be safe for haemocytes. Based on the studies, Tridax procumbens can be incorporated in medicines and nutraceuticals for increasing their effectiveness.