Studies on Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Morinda lucida Benth.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the medicinal potentials by analysing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts of Morinda lucida Benth. The antimicrobial assay of leaf, stem bark and root extracts was carried out at different concentrations against some selected human pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi) using standard methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts was also determined accordingly. Antioxidant activity of leaf extract was determined by free radical scavenging activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, metal-chelating activity, ferric-reducing power activity and thin layer chromatography of flavonoid and phenolic compounds present in the plant. Antimicrobial studies indicated that the ethanolic leaf, stem bark and root extracts of M. lucida inhibited the growth of the microbes but at varied levels, and the inhibition of the extracts was concentration-dependent. Antioxidant studies indicated that the extract had antioxidant potentials, and the effectiveness of the extract increases progressively as the concentration increases. Data obtained from the studies showed that the plant possessed antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and could be used in the treatment of microbial infections and also to protect cells against free-radical damages.