Abstract:
In Ethiopia there are many species of medicinal plants which may contain disease-curing
bioactive compounds which are distributed all over the world especially, in the south and south western part of the country. The traditional medicine still plays an important role in the primary
health care in Ethiopia. Rumex nervosus is one of the most common weed plants in Ethiopia and
used in traditional medicines. In this study the leaves of Rumex nervosus were extracted using
hexane, chloroform and ethanol in successive extraction method and the presence of
phytochemicals was checked. The antioxidant activity of the extracts of Rumex nervosus was
determined using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (2mM). The antibacterial
activities of the extracts were also investigated against Gram positive, and Gram negative bacteria
using Muller Hinton Agar medium by disc paper method. Ethanol extract of Rumex nervosus
showed slightly better antibacterial activity against a Gram positive bacteria Staphyloccus aureus
and Listeria monocytogens and a Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonolla
typhymurium. Hexane extract had relatively low zone of antibacterial activity in all tested bacteria.
Generally ethanol extract had good antioxidant and slightly better antibacterial activity than
chloroform and hexane extracts.
