Borassus aethiopum, A Potential Medicinal Source of Antioxidants, Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract

Abstract Background: Borassus aethiopum Mart (Family Arecaceae), commonly known as the African Fan Palm, is a tropical plant species found widely across Africa, and used globally for both medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. In this study, the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities of an ethanolic extract of the fruit of Borassus aethiopum was investigated. Methods: The Carrageenan induced foot edema model in chicks was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanolic extract of the seed endocarp cotyledon. For the anti-oxidant activity determination, three assays were employed; namely, the total anti-oxidant capacity assay, the 2, 2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay and the Folin-Ciocalteau’s assay for total phenols. For the anti-microbial activity, the agar diffusion method was used. Phytochemical analysis to determine the types of secondary metabolites present was also conducted on the plant extract. Results: The phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloid, tannins, saponins, steroids, carbohydrates triterpenoids and phenols. A dose dependent reduction in edema was observed when the extract was compared with Diclofenac and Dexamethasone. The extract had an EC50 of 13.49 µg/ml DPPH scavenging activity, which is excellent when compared to the reference ascorbic acid of 140.00 µg/ml. Thus the extract was about 10 times more potent than the ascorbic acid. Conclusion: The anti-microbial assay revealed activity against the gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The results obtained showed that Borassus aethiopum has anti-inflammatory and significant anti-oxidant properties, which are dose and concentration dependent respectively. Keywords: Borassus aethiopum; Anti-inflammatory; Anti-oxidant; Anti-microbial