Screening of some plant extracts against some skin diseases caused by oxidative stress and microorganisms

Abstract

Eleven plants were selected to evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial potentiality against some skin diseases caused by some bacteria and fungi. The dry powder was extracted in methanol by cold percolation method. Free radical scavenging activities like diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion (O2-) scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging activity, reducing capacity assessment and total phenol content were measured. Antimicrobial activity was done against 8 microorganisms by agar well diffusion method. All the plants exhibited a strong correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenol content. Euphorbia hirta exhibited best antioxidant activity. The plant extracts showed more activity against Gram positive bacteria and fungi. The best antimicrobial activity was shown by Euphorbia tirucalli. The study supports the folkloric use of E. hirta and E. tirucalli against some skin diseases caused by oxidative stress or by microorganisms.