Determination of Biological Activities of the Root Bark of Senna singueana

Aims: Senna singueana is a medicinal plant which is used for the treatment of different kinds of diseases and the plant was selected for the study because of its numerous uses. The main objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the extracts of the root barks of S. singueana.

Methodology: The antibacterial activities of the extracts (determination of Minimal Inhibitory “MIC” and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration “MBC”) were determined by using agar well diffusion method. In addition to this the total flavonoid and total phenolic contents were determined by using aluminum chloride colorimetric complex assay and Folin-Ciocalteu method respectively.

Results: Our results revealed that the total flavonoid content of the extracts is ranged from 30.39 mgQE/100 g to 240.83 mgQE/100 g. The extracts also showed good antioxidant activity and total phenolic content as well as weak to moderate antibacterial activity against some bacteria.

Conclusions: The extracts of the root bark of Senna sinueana showed good total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activity. In addition to this, the extracts also showed the presence of some important compounds by phytochemical analysis.