Investigation of antifungal and antioxidant properties of Capparis ovata methanolic extracts

Caper plant belonging to the genus Capparis (family Capparaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine to cure various illnesses since ancient times. Studies have shown significant medicinal properties of various Capparis species. This study was designed to examine in vitro antifungal and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of Capparis ovata buds. It was determined that Capparis ovata inhibited the NO radical in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited reducing power activity. According to the standard pyrocatechol graph, 1 mg of Capparis ovata contains 19.64 µg of phenolic equivalent of pyrocatechol. In vitro antifungal susceptibilty testing of Capparis ovata methanolic extract against eight different fungal strains were determined by broth macrodilution method. According to MIC values of in vitro antifungal activity testing Capparis ovata has moderate antifungal activity. In conclusion, Capparis ovata was found to have a significant antifungal and antioxidant potential. Hence, this plant could have the potential to be used against fungal and oxidative stress related many disease conditions.