In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Ephedra gerardiana (Root and Stem) Crude Extract and Fractions

Abstract

The utilization of medicinal plants to treat infectious disease is a common practice in developing countries worldwide. The present study was aimed at evaluating the crude extracts of Ephedra gerardiana (root and stem) with different chemicals for antioxidant and antimicrobial (fungal and bacterial) potential. The results revealed that the ethyl acetate fractions of E. gerardiana (root and stem) have significant free radical scavenging potential with values 2.96 ± 0.39 and 2.73 ± 0.84 while n-butanol and aqueous fractions showed IC502.69 ± 0.26 and 3.44 ± 0.69 µg/ml in stem. Furthermore, crude extract and fractions also revealed promising antibacterial activities against all tested microbial strains while aqueous fraction showed no activities against Bacillus subtilis, Kleibsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interestingly, all crude extracts and fractions were nonactive against fungal strain, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, as compare to control. In summary, the Ephedra gerardiana (root and stem) extract and fraction possess antioxidant activities, which might be helpful in preventing or slowing the progress of various oxidative stresses, suggested to be a strong pharmaceutical agent.

The diagnostic value of combined detection of genetic markers and serum protein markers on breast cancer

“…In this research, the expression levels of TPS, CA153 and CEA in breast cancer group were significantly higher than those of benign breast tumor group and control group. The sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curve all indicate that separate detection has certain value too, however considering comprehensively, combined detection is better than separated detection, which is consistent with the research conducted by Zheng and Luo, 2005, Yildirim et al, 2017, Khan et al, 2018, Golezar et al, 2017, Altun et al, 2017, Gao et al, 2017.…”

Effects of phenolic acids from ginseng rhizosphere on soil fungi structure, richness and diversity in consecutive monoculturing of ginseng

“…In recent years, ginseng was mainly dependent on artificial cultivation in China. But this method of cultivation was severely aggravated by continuous cropping obstacles, including Cylindrocarpon root rot caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans (Zinns) Scholten, which is the most severe soil-borne disease and is difficult to control in ginseng fields (Akin et al, 2017, Banerjee et al, 2017, Demir et al, 2017, Khan et al, 2018a, Khan et al, 2018b). This disease becomes more serious after continuous cropping and the symptoms can be observed at all developmental stages of the plant (Rahman and Punja-Z, 2005, Yan and Fu, 2002) and results in significant yield decline at last (Dou et al, 1996).…”

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The antioxidant activity and phytochemical analysis of medicinal plant Veronica biloba

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