Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of compounds isolated from Carissa opaca

Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines is an edible fruit plant (Apocynaceae) traditionally used for the treatment of asthma, fever, diarrhea, hepatitis and cardiac problems. Five compounds named Naringin, Prunin, Ursolic acid, Uvaol and Procrim a, were isolated from C. opaca and tested for their antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Antioxidant activity was performed against various radicals i.e. DPPH, ABTS, –O2, –OH and non-radical e.g. H2O2. Naringin, Prunin and Ursolic acid were highly active against these radicals with significant IC50 values. All compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. All compounds were displaying MIC values in promising ranges. Antifungal activity was also determined using various fungal strains e.g. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani. Naringin and Ursolic acid expressed significant inhibition of growth all fungal strains. It is concluded that these biologically active compounds isolated from edible plant C. opaca can be used against various free radical and infectious diseases.