Joyce Govinden-Soulange
University of Mauritius, Mauritius
Title: Endemic plants from Mauritius islands as potential phytomedicines
Biography
Biography: Joyce Govinden-Soulange
Abstract
Mauritius island is endowed with a rich and diverse endemic flora comprising 315 endemic plant species most of which are known in the traditional pharmacopoeia. Although, the endemic floristic wealth of Mauritius represents a reservoir of new biologically active ingredients; most species have not been scientifically validated for their bioactivities. Sideroxylon species and Diospyros species have been traditionally used for the treatment of microbial infections and minor ailments. The present study describes the phytomedicinal profile of these species and their bioactivity is unveiled through their antioxidant and antibacterial assays. Diospyros chrysophyllos exhibited the highest amount of phenolics (221 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and Diospyros boutoniana exhibited strong reducing power (946.22 mmol Fe2+/g extract). Promising antibacterial activity was noted with Sideroxylon puberulum and D. boutoniana (minimum inhibitory concentration of 39.06 and 78.125mg/ml) respectively. These results endorse the phytochemical and bioactive richness of Diospyros species endemic to Mauritius and reveal their potential for pharmacological exploitation. The genetic diversity of selected Sideroxylon species is also described to endorse their uniqueness as Mauritian endemic bioresources, as result we noted that the Mauritian endemic Sideroxylon species are genetically related to Argan oil tree.