Abstract:
In this study Vernonia amygdalina. Delile stem and leaves were evaluated for anti-cancer and antibacterial actions against selected microorganisms. The crude plant extracts were extracted using methanol and fractionated into ethyl acetate, hexane, aqueous and crude extracts. Cancer inducing agent Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was introduced into Wistar mice and screened with crude extracts of Vernonia amygdalina. Delile to evaluate the anti-cancer properties of the extracts. The effect of CCl4 in mice was determined by isolating and quantifying damaged DNA fragments in liver and blood using DNA zol BD and diphenylamine (DPA). Results showed significant difference (p < 0.05) observed between the extracts and the controls. The observed changes obtained were concluded to be as a result of prophylactic effect of Vernonia amygdalina. Delile For the antibacterial studies, 20 mg/ml extracts fractions were tested against clinical isolates: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using agarwell diffusion technique. The extracts exhibited selective inhibitions against the isolates. The diameter of the zones of inhibitions observed were between: 0.0 - 35.0 mm, with ethyl acetate fraction given the highest inhibition. It was evident from this investigation that crude extracts of Vernonia amygdalina. Delile effectively reduced cancer damage caused by CCl4.
