PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF STEM BARK EXTRACT OF JATROPHA CURCAS LINN.

Objective: The study was designed to explore the antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant potential of Jatropha curcas Linn. (J. curcas) stem bark extract. Materials and Methods: The chemotherapeutic action was measured in the crude extract using agar well diffusion method. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of different extracts were tested against two gram-positive and nine gram negative human pathogenic bacteria using agar well diffusion method. Area of the reticence of crude extracts was matched with that of various antibiotics like ampicillin, streptomycin for antibacterial property and fluconazole for antifungal activity. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of different extracts of the Jatropha curcas were also investigated against 2,2 Diphenyl –1­- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2, Azion-bis- (3- ethylbenzothia-zoline-96- sulphonic acid) (ABTS), superoxide anion (O^-2) and nitric oxide (NO) using spectroscopic absorption methods. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA, arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) in the factorial arrangement having four replications. Results: The average inhibition zone for methanol extract (25.31mm) was establish to be extra valuable than the average inhibition zone of ethanol extract (19.72 mm).The average least inhibitory quantity for the methanol and ethanolic extracts were 4.31 and 5.09 mgml^-1 respectively. The average minimum bactericidal concentration for the methanol and ethanol extracts were 8.27 and 9.81 mgml^-1 respectively. The average inhibition zone for methanol extract (16.60 mm) was observed to be most active followed by the average inhibition zone of ethanol extract (15.15 mm). Among the tested free radical activities, the maximum percent DPPH scavenging action was shown by the methanolic extract of J. curcas stem bark extract (90.5%). Quantitative estimation of secondary metabolites showed that tannins were most abundant (24.1 ± 0.1) followed by steroids (19.7 ± 0.1). Conclusion: It is concluded that the significant inhibition of the bacterial growth was observed against the tested pathogens. The phytochemical analysis of the plant showed the presence of phenolic compounds, which may have contributed to the antioxidant activity of J. curcas stem bark extract. Therefore, such plants can be used for isolation of biologically active natural products that may lead to the improvement of new pharmacological research accomplishment.