Phytochemical screening, antibacterial and antioxidant activity studies on the crude root extract of Clematis hirsuta

Abstract

Clematis hirsuta in the family of Ranunculaceae is geographically dispersed in highland areas including Ethiopia. The leaves and roots of Clematis hirsuta is traditionally used to treat various diseases in different regions of Ethiopia. This study is aimed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents, antibacterial and antioxidant activity studies on the crude root extracts of Clematis hirsuta. The air-dried plant sample was powdered, extracted successively with n-hexane, chloroform and methanol. The solid matter was separated by filtration and then filtrates were concentrated using a rotary evaporator. The dried extract was subjected to a preliminary phytochemical screening test using standard procedures and the result showed the presence of alkaloid, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides and carbohydrates. Antibacterial activity of the crude extract was determined by using the disc diffusion method. The methanol extract of the roots of Clematis hirsuta showed a significant inhibition zone on all of the selected bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella thyphi) while chloroform extract had inhibition on Pseudomonasaeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The methanol crude extract was screened for antioxidant activity by the DPPH assay method. At 2 mg/mL methanol crude extract gave %DPPH inhibition of 98.2% as compared to reference ascorbic acid (95.8%) at the same concentration. This study showed that the roots of Clematis hirsuta constitute phytochemicals that possess antibacterial and antioxidant activities and can serve as a potential source in search of plant-based antibiotics and natural antioxidants.

Keywords:

• Clematis hirsuta
• crude extract
• phytochemical screening
• DPPH

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

According to WHO, nearly 80% of the world's population relies on the use of traditional medicines to meet their primary health-care needs. Plants are also the basis for the development of modern drugs. They produce secondary metabolities like flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and saponins which constitute antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Clematis hirsuta is one of the medicinal plants used in Ethiopia to treat different kinds of diseases like blackleg, respiratory tract problem and cataract, edema, leishmaniasis, herpes, hemorrhoids and tumor on the neck, among others. Powder made from barks, leaves and stems of the plant is applied directly to affected tumor sites. It is from this background that the researcher tried to screen the phytochemical constituents, and test the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the root extract of Clematis hirsuta. The findings showed moderate antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the plant extract. In addition, phytochemicals like alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, glycosides and carbohydrates were observed.

Competing interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for Wollega University.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Zelalem Abdisa

Zelalem Abdisa completed his First Degree in Applied Chemistry, Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry, and his PhD in Organic Chemistry all from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He has been teaching at Undergraduate and Graduate programs at Wollega University for the last 13 years. He had also been working as department head, vice dean, and director at Wollega University. He is currently working at the position of associate dean for postgraduate research at Wollega University. He is now an assistant professor in Organic Chemistry.