Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Investigation of Girardinia diversifolia (Link) Friis (Urticaceae)

Abstract

Root and stem extracts of Girardinia diversifolia exhibited varying degrees of activity against Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Three compounds namely β-sitosterol, 7-hydroxysitosterol and 3-hydroxystigmast-5-en-7-one, were isolated from the petroleum ether root extract. The present study gives scientific credence to the traditional use of Girardinia diversifolia in the management of microbial infections.

Keywords: Girardinia diversifolia, phytochemical, antimicrobial

East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 14 (2011) 89-94