Evaluation of the phytochemical properties and antifungal effects of Abrus precatorius and Morinda lucida plant parts against clinical isolate of Candida albicans
Abstract
Experimental study was done on the phytochemistry and antifungal effects of Abrus. precatorius (seed) and Morinda lucida (leaves, root, bark) plant parts on Candida albicans in Nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria. Qualitative phytochemistry was by standard methods, plant materials prepared by air-drying, crude extraction by Soxhlet extraction and extractive index analyzed. Antifungal susceptibility was by standard methods using paper - disc agar - diffusion and punch hole methods, assessing Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Fungicidal Concentrations (MFC). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results revealed, in 16 plant part, highest percentage extractive
value was in methanolic extract of Morinda lucinda leaf (11.2%) and best solvents for extraction yield for each plant were, water extract for Abrus precatorius seed (8.2%); acetyl - acetate for Morinda lucinda root (5.2%) and bark (4.2%); methanolic extract for Morinda leaf (11.2%). Phytochemistry showed ten components extractable from 16 plant parts solutions. Morinda lucida (root) ethanol, ethyl-acetate, and water extracts (bark and leaf parts) had the highest, (9) bio-active compounds. Water extract was the best (9) in 3 out of the 4 herbal plant parts. Zones of inhibition by extracts on Candida albicans by disc and Agar - well diffusion method showed highest clearance in methanolic extracts of Abrus precatorius seed (17.00±0.00) mm, (p <0.02), ethyl-acetate extracts of Morinda lucinda root (16.00±1.41) mm (p<0.04) and Morinda lucinda bark (16.50±2.12mm) in all using Agar-well diffusion method. For Morinda lucida roots and bark, clearance was higher in ethyl - acetate solvent (16.00±1.41) mm (p=0.04); (16.50±2.12mm) compared with controls (20.50±2.12mm); (20.50±4.95). There was zero clearance using Morinda lucinda leaves and all n-hexane solvent. Performance of agar-well diffusion method was better than disc-diffusion. MIC against Candida albicans showed A. precatorius methanol seed extract as best MIC (6.25) mg/ml, while methanol extract of Abrus precatorius best MFC (25mg/ml). Conclusively, all extracts have anti-candida properties though water extract of Abrus seed gave highest percentage yield. All plants parts are quite promising as a multipurpose medicinal agent though agar-well diffusion method is recommended as best method for testing the herb’s parts. Extensive research will expose their therapeutic potentials.
