SCREENING OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND EVALUATION OF ANTI-MICROBIAL, ANTI-OXIDANT AND IN-VITRO ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF CRASSULA OVATA LEAVES

The study involved both aqueous extraction and methanolic extraction of the powered leaves, which ensure all plant components are extracted for better results. Phytochemical analysis from the extracts was performed using the standard protocols. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the extracts was tested against E-coli, Pseudomonas and Klebsilla sp using  agar disc diffusion method. Antioxidant property of the plant was evaluated using DPPH Method and Hydrogen Peroxide Scavenging activity method whereas antidiabetic property was evaluated using α-amylase inhibition assay. The plant extracts were used at varying concentrations to ensure which plant extract and concentration causes the most inhibition.  Phytochemical analysis of the extract indicated the present of Saponin, phenol , phytosterol, steroid, terpenoid, flavanoid, carbohydrates and proteins while tannin, glycoside, plobatanin were absent. Anti-diabetic property of the plant was observed with a significant result of inhibiting a maximum of 83% of α-amylase activity (700µg/ml concentration of methanol extract) whereas antioxidant property with a maximum of 85% of (200µg/ml concentration of water extract) inhibition. Antimicrobial property of the extract shows effectiveness against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and Klebsilla sp. with a maximum inhibition zone of 6.53±0.35mm, 3.46±0.30 mm and 3.76±0.25 mm respectively.Not much work has been done on Crassula ovata to evaluate its efficacy in scientific way. Further large scale studies on animal models need to be carried out before using these extracts for drug designing.