PRELIMINARY BIOAUTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE SEEDS OF GLYPHAEA BREVIS (SPRENG) MONACHINO FOR ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL PRINCIPLES.

Abstract

Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (G. brevis) is widely distributed in West Africa with its various parts used in traditional medicine. In Sierra Leone, the leaves of the plant are used traditionally to enhance labour while the seeds are used in the treatment of skin infections. The present study is aimed at screening the seeds for phytochemical groups, antioxidant principles and antibacterial principles. The plant extracts were examined for phytochemical groups by standard spot tests. Chromatographic separation of seed extract was performed
on reverse phase column and on silica at medium pressure chromatographic set-up. Thin layer chromatographic plates were visualised by UV light and vanillin sulphuric acid spray reagent. The crude extract and chromatographic fractions were examined for radical scavenging properties using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). Antibacterial bioautographic evaluation was performed using B. subtilis NCTC 8236 as test organism and Methylthiazolyl tetrazolium chloride as detecting reagent. Phytochemical screening of the seeds of G. brevis indicated the presence of phenolics and saponins. Pink colour reaction of polar Thin Layer Chromatographic (TLC) spots with vanillin-sulphuric acid spray (V/SA) suggested the presence of terpenoid glycosides. Screening with DPPH showed prominent antioxidant spots on silica at Rf 0.8, 0.5, 0.4 Ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The three spots reacted purple to V/SA. Bioautographic analysis revealed antibacterial spots at Rf 0.8(EtOAc) and 0.7(EtOAC-MeOH, 9:1).
The seeds of Glypheae brevis contain specific antioxidant and antibacterial principles which have been described by their chromatographic properties in this study.