GC-MS analysis, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of acetone fractions obtained from Guiera Senegalensis leaves and Quercus Infectoria Nutgalls extracts

Medicinal plants are considered an important source of phytochemical compounds that play a vital role to produce a definite physiological action for the treatment of several diseases. This study was aimed to investigate the phytoconstituents of Guiera senegalensis leaves and Quercus infectoria nutgalls extracts, and to study their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Ethanol extracts were subjected to sequential fractionation using petroleum ether, dichloromethane and acetone. Acetone fraction (as major) was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative GC-MS analysis. In vitro antioxidant activity and antibacterial sensitivity against Staphylococcus aureus of acetone fraction were evaluated whereas; DPPH radical scavenging activity and disc diffusion methods were used, respectively. Results obtained from GC-MS analysis for G. senegalensis were showed the presence of eupafolin, pyrogallol, hydroquinone and catechol with percentages of 65.16%, 15.79%, 10.36% and 8.69%, respectively. While Q. infectoria GC-MS analysis was revealed the presence of pyrogallol as major phytoconstituent (94.77%).  The antioxidant activity of the two extracts showed higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (94%) at a concentration of 250 μg/ml compared to standard popylgallate. Both extracts at a concentration of 25 mg/ml were exhibited higher antibacterial activity against S. aureus compared to gentamicin. It could be concluded that G. senegalensis leaves and Q. infectoria nutgalls possess significant antioxidant and antibacterial principles for possible treatment of inflammations and bacterial infections especially those caused by S. aureus. Further experimental and clinical studies are warranted.