Phytochemical Content, Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities of Ephedra alata Decne. Aerial Parts Grown Wild in South-west Algeria

Abstract

Background: The presence of antioxidants such as polyphenol, in plants may provide protection against a number of diseases. Moreover, pathogenic fungi can cause a variety of adverse health effects and pose a serious health threat to both humans and livestock. The aim of present study was to determine the antioxidant and antifungal activities of aerial part extracts from Ephedra alata Decne. Methods: Antifungal activities were tested against three pathogens fungi using mycelial growth, sporulation and germination spores. Result: The determination of the polyphenol contents, total flavonoids and condensed tannins of the aerial part extracts gave respectively (TPC: 40.45±0.18 mg GAE/g, TFC: 133.25±0.11 mg QE/g, TCT: 20.76±0.19 mg CE/g). The flavonoids and methanolic extracts showed a good scavenging activity with an IC50: 0.23±0.66; 0.54±0.35 mg/ml, respectively. For antifungal properties, flavonoids extract showed the inhibitoriest activity against fungi tested, followed by methanolic extract.