Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Different Extracts of Silybum marianum Collected from Duhok (Iraq)

Abstract

In this study, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. collected from Duhok (Iraq) were determined. Ethanol, methanol and dichloromethane extracts of the fruit part of plant were obtained. Antioxidant potential was determined with TAS and TOS kits using ethanol extracts. Antibacterial and antifungal activity were determined using agar dilution method. Antibacterial activity was determined against 6 bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus MRSA, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii). Antifungal activity was determined against Candida albicans, C. krusei and C. glabrata. As a result of the studies, it was determined that plant extracts have high antioxidant activity. It was also found to be effective against bacteria at 25-400 µg/mL concentrations. Plant extracts were found to be more effective against gram negative bacteria. It was found to be effective against Candida species at 400-800 µg/mL concentrations. As a result, it was determined that the fruit parts of plant could be a natural antioxidant and antibacterial source.

Keywords

• antioxidant
• antibacterial
• antifungal
• medicinal plants
• silybum marianum