Evaluation of Acute Toxicity, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Aqueous Extracts of Leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnhardt (MYRTACEAE) Synonym: Eucalyptus rostrata Schelcht

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate by scientific studies, the Eucalyptus camaldulensis potentialities used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso to treat malaria. Then, acute general toxicity, antioxidant and antibacterial activities phytochemical composition were evaluated. The leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnhardt (Myrtaceae) are used in Burkina Faso for the treatment of malaria and respiratory diseases. Aqueous extracts of the leaves are the form of use recommended by traditional healers. We studied the acute toxicity antioxidant activity, the antibacterial activity, the phytochemical composition of aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, used everywhere in Burkina Faso. Acute toxicity was studied in NMRI strain mice. The aqueous extracts were not toxic at the maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. The extracts presented antioxidant activity with an IC 50 which is 12.5 µg/mL. The extracts showed no bacterial activity on three strains of bacteria tested: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Phytochemicals compounds that we have identified are alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolics compounds, triterpenoids and steroids, saponosides.