Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Salix babylonica extracts

Abstract

The methanolic extracts of the leaves and bark of Salix babylonica and their petroleum ether, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions were investigated for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. They were also quantitatively assayed for their phenolic contents. Antimicrobial activities were determined against a panel of microorganisms; the Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), the Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and the yeast-like pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Antioxidant activity was carried out using ABTS antioxidant assay and phosphomolybdenum antioxidant assay. Total phenolic content was carried out using Folin-Ciocalteu method. The ethyl acetate fraction of the methanolic extract of the bark showed the highest total phenolic content, it showed also the highest antioxidant activity. The methylene chloride fraction of the bark showed the strongest antibacterial activity against E. coli. The ethyl acetate fraction of the methanolic extract of the bark showed strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The petroleum ether, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions of the methanolic extract of the bark exhibited moderate antifungal activities against Candida albicans.