Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Selected Philippine Medicinal Pteridophytes

Pteridophytes are some of the herbal plants used to cure ailments. The present study scientifically finds out the folkloric therapeutic claims of 15 species of Philippine medicinal pteridophytes. Phytochemical components namely alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and anthraquinones of each plant samples were qualitatively determined. Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract was tested on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The antipyretic activity using yeast-induced pyrexia and the anti-inflammatory activity using egg-albumin-induced paw edema were done on white rats. The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins in most of the extracts. Anthraquinones were absent. Extract form three species of pteridophytes namely: Equisetum ramosissimum, Pyrrosia piloselloides, and Selaginella usterii did not manifest any antibacterial activity. Blechnum orientale has no antifungal activity. All extracts showed significant effect in reducing yeast-induced pyrexia when compared with the negative control (NSS). Fourteen (14) out of the fifteen (15) plant extracts in 400 mg/kg Body Weight dosage inhibited anti-inflammatory activities in eggalbumin induced rat paw edema except for Pyrossia piloselloides. However, all plant extracts in 800 mg/kg Body Weight dosage showed significant rat paw reduction. A dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect was observed within 6 hours of paw thickness observation.

 

Keywords - Phytochemicals, Ferns, Bioassay, Philippines.