In vitro anticandidal and antioxidant potential of Mezoneuron benthamianum

Objective: To investigate the preliminary phytochemical screening and antioxidant properties of the methanolic extract of Mezoneuron benthamianum (M. benthamianum). Method: The anti-candidal potential and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) were evaluated on fresh isolates of Candida species using disc diffusion method. While the lipophilic free radical scavenging activity was examined using the spectrophotometric assay on the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and compared with standard antioxidant, α-tocopherol. Result: The anti-candidal activities of M. benthamianum root and leaf revealed zones of inhibition (ZI) against Candida glabrata as (13.6±1.00) mm and (13.7±1.00) mm respectively while, Candida krusei ZI against root (13.7±1.00) mm and leaf (11.8±0.80) mm as the most significant among other candida species (Candida stellatoidea, Candida albicans and Candida torulopsis). Phytochemicals present in the plant extracts includes saponin, anthracquinones, flavonoids and tannins. The antioxidant potential of the plant was significant and dose dependent at the concentrations tested. The extract has IC50 values of 781 μg/mL while the standard, α-tocopherol has 222.3 μg/mL. Conclusions: The result from this research suggests that M. benthamianum is a potent anti-candida and antioxidant plant and may be a potential anti-candida plant for future prospect in drug development