Phytochemical constituents, antioxidant potential, acute toxicity and antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. (Cucurbitaceae) plant cultivated in Benin City, Nigeria

Trichosanthes cucumerina L. (Cucurbitaceae) is an annual cultivated herb used in traditional medicinefor treatment of tumor and osteoporosisand due toits versatile vegetable nature, it is used for itculinary properties. Its rich source of phytochemical may enhance its use in the treatment of radical and microbial induced ailments. This study aims to evaluate qualitative and selective quantitative phyto-constituents, antioxidant potential, acute toxicity and antimicrobial effects of the methanol extract of T. cucumerina leaves. hytochemicals were analyzed via color, precipitation reactions and spectrophotometrically. Free radical scavenging was measured via DPPH assay,while acute toxicity profile was determined by monitoring of the behavioral changes and mortality in rats following oral gavage. Also susceptibility test against selected clinical isolates (Aspergillus niger, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Pencillinium notatum) was defined by agar diffusion method from 25 mg/mL to 100 mg/mL concentration. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic, saponins and terpenoids. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents recorded were (7.00±0.02) GAE/gram of extract and (49.02±0.14) QE/gram of extract respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity was below the 50 % mark for IC50 determination. Acute toxicity revealed the absence of toxicity in rat at the maximum administered doses of 5000 mg/mL and increased antibacterial potential of T. cucumerina as the concentration increases, while antifungal activity was observed at 100 mg/mL against P. notatum and A. niger. These results show that T. cucumarina contains phytochemicals that are safe, scavenge for free radicals and can be used for treatment of infections.