Logo-jhp
J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2025;14(2): 230-240.
doi: 10.34172/jhp.2025.52757
  Abstract View: 12
  PDF Download: 16

Original Article

Antioxidative and antibacterial activity of indigenous edible wild fruit species from Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, South Africa

Sinorita Chauke 1 ORCID logo, Lungisile Tshitshi 1 ORCID logo, Maropeng Erica Matlala 1 ORCID logo, Wilfred Otang-Mbeng 1 ORCID logo, Bongisiwe Gladys Shelembe 1,2 ORCID logo, Peter Tshepiso Ndhlovu 1* ORCID logo

1 School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Private Bag X11283, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
2 Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants, Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
*Corresponding Author: Peter Tshepiso Ndhlovu, Email: Tshepiso.Ndhlovu@ump.ac.za

Abstract

Introduction: Antimicrobial drug resistance and unwanted side effects of conventional medicines necessitate research on medicinal plants’ use as alternatives. This study investigated the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of Carissa spinarum, Diospyros mespiliformis, Euclea crispa, Ficus thonningii, Strychnos madagascariensis, and Strychnos spinosa.

Methods: Hexane, acetone, and methanol leaf extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using disc diffusion and microdilution assays, and for antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing power assays.

Results: Methanol yielded the highest quantities of crude. The extracts of D. mespiliformis, E. crispa, and F. thonningii showed strong antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa with inhibition zones up to 28 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) from 0.781–1.563 mg/mL. The acetone extract of D. mespiliformis also exhibited activity against K. pneumoniae (MIC: 3.125 mg/mL). The methanol extract of E. crispa displayed potent antioxidant activity, achieving a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.42 µg/mL, which was comparable to ascorbic acid at concentrations of 62.5–250 µg/mL (P > 0.05). Acetone extracts of S. spinosa and methanol extracts of C. spinarum demonstrated good ferric-reducing power; however, all the plant extracts were significantly different from ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene at 250 µg/mL (P˂0.05).

Conclusion: The leaves of wild plant species exhibited significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, making them possible sources of novel compounds for combating infections and oxidative stress.


Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:

The leaf extracts of Carissa spinarum, Diospyros mespiliformis, Euclea crispa, Ficus thonningii, Strychnos madagascariensis, and Strychnos spinosa showed antibacterial activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, the leaves of C. spinarum, D. mespiliformis, E. crispa, S. madagascariensis, and S. spinosa demonstrated potent antioxidant activities. Therefore, these wild plants may serve as potential sources of antibacterial compounds to treat infections caused by K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa and antioxidant compounds suitable for use in skincare products.

Please cite this paper as: Chauke S, Tshitshi L, Matlala ME, Otang-Mbeng W, Shelembe BG, Ndhlovu PT. Antioxidative and antibacterial activity of indigenous edible wild fruit species from Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, South Africa. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2025;14(2):230-240. doi: 10.34172/jhp.2025.52757.

First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Comments
Security code


Abstract View: 10

Your browser does not support the canvas element.


PDF Download: 16

Your browser does not support the canvas element.

Submitted: 30 Sep 2024
Revision: 20 Dec 2024
Accepted: 10 Jan 2025
ePublished: 01 Apr 2025
EndNote EndNote

(Enw Format - Win & Mac)

BibTeX BibTeX

(Bib Format - Win & Mac)

Bookends Bookends

(Ris Format - Mac only)

EasyBib EasyBib

(Ris Format - Win & Mac)

Medlars Medlars

(Txt Format - Win & Mac)

Mendeley Web Mendeley Web
Mendeley Mendeley

(Ris Format - Win & Mac)

Papers Papers

(Ris Format - Win & Mac)

ProCite ProCite

(Ris Format - Win & Mac)

Reference Manager Reference Manager

(Ris Format - Win only)

Refworks Refworks

(Refworks Format - Win & Mac)

Zotero Zotero

(Ris Format - Firefox Plugin)