TY - JOUR ID - TI - ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC PROPERTIES OF EXTRACTS FROM OVER-SEASONED WORM-CASTS OF THE EARTHWORM HYPERIODRILUS AFRICANUS BEDDARD, 1891 AU - Stephen Olugbemiga OWA Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University David Adeiza OTOHINOYI Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University Theresa Ibibia EDEWOR-IKUPOYI Department of Chemical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Adeolu A PY - 2022 VL - 8 IS - 3 SP - 383 EP - 390 JO - Karbala International Journal of Modern Science مجلة كربلاء العالمية للعلوم الحديثة SN - 2405609X 24056103 AB - Background: Despite the continuous interest in the search for therapeutic agents, little attention has been given to themedicinal relevance of earthworm casts, with even less interest in over-seasoned worm-casts. Therefore, this studydetermined the phytochemical, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of over-seasoned worm-casts of the earthwormHyperiodrilus africanus (Eudrilidae).Methods: The earthworm casts were extracted with n-hexane, ethanol, and water and the crude extracts were evaluatedfor the presence of chemical constituents and antimicrobial properties. Cytotoxicity was inferred from the antimitoticeffects of the extracts on the radicles of germinating seeds of Sorghum bicolor.Results: The chemical constituent determinations revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins,steroids, terpenoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, and phenols. Screening the extracts for chemical constituents revealedthat the ethanolic and aqueous extracts had more chemical constituents than n-hexane extracts. The ethanolic extractshowed antibacterial activity against Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus aureus; the aqueous extract showed antifungalactivity against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Furthermore, both extracts showed antimitotic activity againsthealthy cells of S. bicolor in a manner similar to that of the reference drug (cyclophosphamide).Conclusion: The study provides evidence, lending credence to the antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of overseasoned casts of H. africanus.

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