Phytochemical Investigation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity Leaves Extracts of Corchorus olitorius

The leaves extracts of Corchorus olitorius, the family Malvaceae, are commonly called khudra, the plant extensively used in Sudanese traditional medicine. The Sudanese varieties are one of the best in the market, which prompted investigation of leaves extracts. Some chemical analyses of the leaves have been done such as determination of ash content and trace elements (Ca, Fe, Mg, and Na) by atomic absorption spectrometry. The 96% ethanolic, Ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial activity and highlighted the biological monitoring of activity in order to isolate the active metabolites from the ethanolic extract of the leaves. The presence of sterols and triterpenes, carotenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoid and carbohydrates was confirmed by phytochemical screening of the diethyl ether, methanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves. The extracts were screened in different solvent systems by thin layer chromatography. The methanolic, Ethyl acetate extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity. From the above-mentioned extract we prepare cream and ointment as antibacterial and antifungal dosage forms.