<i>In vitro</i> evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of <i>Petroselinum cripsum</i> (Parsley)

Abstract

Petroselinum crispum also known as parsley belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is a biennial herb native to the Mediterranean region but now cultivated worldwide. It has been claimed in Arab traditional medicine to possess variety of properties including laxative, diuretic and antiurolithiatic benefit. This study investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts of parsley grown in Kano, Nigeria. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract has the highest antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 49.7 and 59.9 μg/ml of ascorbic acid equivalence in the total antioxidant assay. The petroleum ether fraction showed poor radical scavenging ability and a low total antioxidant activity hence, making it the least active fraction. The antimicrobial activity was examined using micro dilution technique against six standard human pathogens (Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae Mucor specie, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans). Significant activity of the fractions was observed in Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Bactericidal/Fungicidal Concentrations. The fractions were all active against all the tested microorganisms at the highest concentrations. The chloroform fraction was the most active with MIC against all the tested microbes found to be 62.5 μg/ml while the ethanol fraction was found to be the least active fraction. The result obtained justifies part of the ethno medicinal claims on the medicinal uses of parsley.

Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Antioxidant activity, Leaf extract, Petroselinum crispum