Phytochemical analysis and determination of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extracts of leaf and fruit of Ruta chalepensis (tenadam)

Abstract Background: Ruta chalepensis is a plant belongs to the family Rutaceae, originally native to the Mediterranean region. In Ethiopia, it is used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages and also used as food preservative. It is also used as antisplasmodic, diuretic, sedative, and analgesic effects, and externally for its antirheumatic effect for treatment of menstrual problems as well as it is used as antiinflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiplatelet, antihelminthic agent. Results: Phytochemical analysis of the methanol extracts of the fruit and leaf of the Ruta chalepensis showed the presence of some important bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, etc. In addition to this, the extracts also showed good total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activities. For example, the total phenolic content of leaf and fruit extracts of R. chalepensis is 142.159 ±0.02 and 156.477 ±0.15 mgGAE/g dry weight respectively whereas the total flavonoid content of the extracts is 118.246±0.059 and 135.952± 0.116 mgQE/ g of dry weight respectively. Conclusions: Fruit and leaf extracts of R. chalepensis showed a good total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. The two extracts also showed weak to moderate antibacterial activities against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria at higher concentrations.