Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Commiphora Pedunculata (ENGL) Stem Extracts

Abstract

The extracts from the stem bark of Commiphora pedunculata, a plant used in Northern Nigeria for the treatment of infectious diseases, were subjected to phytochemical as well as antimicrobial screening using standard procedures. The antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, B. cereus, S. typhii, E. coli and C. albicans was carried out using the disc diffusion and broth micro dilution methods as outlined by the NCCLS. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, saponins, triterpenes, steroids, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. The results of the antimicrobial activity as indicated by the zone of inhibition of growth of the test microorganisms ranged from 17 to 28 mm, the MIC results ranged from 3.125 to 12.5 mg/mL and the MBC results ranged from 6.25 to 25.0 mg/mL for the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. The MIC of 12.50 mg/mL exhibited by the petroleum ether extract against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria indicates broad spectrum activity of Commiphora pedunculata. The results from this study showed that the extracts from the stem bark of the plant contain antimicrobial components worthy of further investigation and lends credence to the use of the plant for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Keywords: Phytochemistry, Commiphora pedunculata extracts, antibacterial activity, MIC, MBC.