METHANOL

Free radicals have been implicated in the occurrence of oxidative stress. They have also been found to be important in the pathophysiology of a number of disease conditions. This therefore, underlies the need for very effective antioxidants. Ficus exasperata has been used traditionally for the treatment and management of numerous disease conditions. Assessment of antioxidant properties creates opportunities for further research into the pharmacological, toxicological properties and clinical relevance of Ficus exasperata. The plant sample was collected, identified, dried, and extracted. Plant sample was assessed for its phytochemical constituents, Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), using spectrophotometric methods. Using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, and Total Antioxidant Capabilities (TAC), the antioxidant properties of the plant extract was assessed using specified methods. Glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols were among the phytochemicals observed to be present. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was -1.82±47 mg GAE/g of exteract, Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) was found to be 47.69±23.2 mg QE/g of extract. The IC50 of ascorbic acid and extract for DPPH scavenging activity was determined to be 1.31 µg/mL and 1.91 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 for TAC of the extract was determined to be 1.23 µg/mL, while that of the standard (ascorbic acid) was found to be 8.82𝑥10−9 µg/mL.

Background: Oral hygiene is an important part of the body overall well-being, and should be treated with the utmost care to prevent dental problems. Acalypha wilkesiana Muell. Arg. Euphorbiaceae), commonly known as copper leaf, is a tropical lant native to West Africa, with notable antimicrobial activities. This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the methanol leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana formulated as herbal toothpaste. Method: Toothpaste was formulated using the leaf extract of A. wilkesiana. The extract was incorporated into a toothpaste base prepared using calcium carbonate, starch, glycerin, sodium lauryl sulfate, saccharine and peppermint oil. Sensory and physicochemical properties of the toothpaste were evaluated. Antimicrobial evaluation was by the Agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, acillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella aerogenes, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at concentrations of 100-500
mg/ml. Results: The A. wilkesiana formulated toothpaste had a pleasant smell and was sweet to taste. It had good foaming abilities with a pH range of 7.4-7.8. The formulated herbal toothpaste had poor antibacterial activity but no antifungal activity against the clinical isolates at low concentrations. Significant activities were recorded at 500 mg/ml against all five (5) bacteria isolates, with Bacillus subtilis recording the highest zone of inhibition. Conclusion: The formulated A. wilkesiana toothpaste showed significant antibacterial effects against microbes implicated in periodontal diseases and dental caries, hence serving as a potential alternative to orthodox toothpastes for maintaining oral hygiene. Keywords: Acalypha wilkesiana, Euphorbiaceae, Antimicrobial, Toothpaste