Biological activities of methanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus mauritiana

Ziziphus mauritiana is recognized for traditional use in different areas as its fruits are consumed locally in some parts of Saudi Arabia. However, little is known about the biological activities of the leaves. The current study has been aimed to evaluate some bioactive properties of the methanol leaf extract of Ziziphus mauritiana. Phytochemical analysis was performed using colorimetric methods: Disc diffusion, MIC and MBC method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity; DPPH scavenging activity and reduction capacity were determined spectrophotometrically for the antioxidant activity, and carrageenan-induced paw edema method using rat models was employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity. The study revealed the presence of some bioactive phytochemical constituents such as saponins, tannins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids and flavonoids. The methanol leaf extract of Ziziphus mauritiana has significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 and Proteus vulgaris (multi-drug resistant isolate); and varied degrees against other bacterial strains but it was not significant. The plant extract also has potent antioxidant (IC50 value of 0.024 g/L competitor to the ascorbic acid and the quercetin, with observed reducing power of Iron III to Iron II) and anti-inflammatory properties (71.83% reduction in inflammation at a concentration of 400 mg/kg body weight of rats). The results obtained in the present study suggest that leaves of Ziziphus mauritiana can be used as a source for functional ingredients for pharmaceutical drug industries.