.C.O Ahonsi E.O Ikpefan M.V Jessah (original) (raw)

The anti-proliferation and antioxidant activities of Conyza sumatrensis was carried out using bench-top assay method. The anti-proliferation activities were carried out using methanol extract of the root of Conyza sumatrensis on guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) radicle at 1-30 mg/ml. While the antioxidant activity was done using superoxide dismuthase (SOD), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant test. In addition to the evaluation, the phytochemical constituents of the methanol extract of the root of C. sumatrensis was performed. The extraction of the plant material was done by cold maceration and concentration of the extract was done using rotary evaporator at 40 o C. Results from the study show significant growth inhibitory effect on guinea corn. An average growth length of 2.74 ± 0.20 mm, 2.93 ± 0.44 mm and 2.88 ± 0.40 mm were produced by the radicle of the control seeds of the methanol extract, aqueous fraction and chloroform fraction respectively after 24 hrs. While the seeds treated with 30mg/ml were 1.07 ± 0.44 mm, 1.28 ± 0.24 mm, 0.20 ± 0.12 mm for the methanol extract, aqueous fraction and chloroform fractions were 60.95%, 56.30% and 93.06% reduction in length respectively. After 96hrs, the control recorded an average length of 20.95 ± 4.69 mm, 34.45 ± 4.92 mm and 13.73 ± 2.86 mm in relation to 3.15 ± 1.15 mm, 11.38 ± 1.65 mm and 0.65 ± 20 mm produced by the seeds treated with 30mg/ml of the methanol extract, aqueous fraction and chloroform fraction respectively. This indicates reduction in growth by 88.18%, 66.97% and 95.27% respectively. The plant extract was shown to contain alkaloid, saponins, cardiac glycoside, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and anthraquinone. Also, the antioxidant property of the chloroform fraction, aqueous fraction and methanol extract were 4.86 ± 0.03mmol/min/mg, 2.75 ± 0.02 mmol/min/mg and 3.59 ± 0.64 mmol/ml/mg respectively for SOD test, 351.57 ± 22.03 mg CEQ/100gdw, 148.94 ± 43.47 mg CEQ/100gdw and 339.99 ±15.32 mg CEQ/100gdw respectively for DPPH test and 147.12 ± 71.07 g CEQ/100gdw, 35.16 ± 9.05 mg CEQ/100gdw and 22.28 ± 7.60 mg CEQ/100gdw respectively for FRAP test. Thus, indicating that the chloroform fraction has better antioxidant property than the aqueous and chloroform fractions. In conclusion, the result of this work supports the ethno-medicinal use of the plant in treating tumour-related ailments. However, further investigation using tumour cell line in vitro or in vivo may be necessary to confirm this claim.