Main Article Content
Preliminary phytochemical screening and antibacterial testing of the ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of the leaves of Piliostigma thonningii (SCHUM) family caesalpinioideae.
Abstract
The ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Piliostigma thonningii (Schum) used traditionally for relieving toothache and cough were screened for their phytochemical constituents and in vitro antibacterial activity. Chemical and chromatographic methods were used for the phytochemical screening of the extracts. Inhibitory activities of
ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts against clinical strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas pyocanae were compared with those of Togamycin (Spectinomycin). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanolic extracts against the test organisms were
also determined. The phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The ethanolic extract was very active against the five bacterial isolates tested while the petroleum ether extract was only active against three of the isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts were 1.50 –3.75 mg/ml and 3.25 – 10.0 mg/ml, respectively. The extracts of Piliostigma thonningii have thus demonstrated antibacterial activity against clinical strains of the selected microorganisms. Toxicological and pharmacological studies are necessary to evaluate the safety profile and mechanism of actions of the extracts.
ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts against clinical strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas pyocanae were compared with those of Togamycin (Spectinomycin). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanolic extracts against the test organisms were
also determined. The phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The ethanolic extract was very active against the five bacterial isolates tested while the petroleum ether extract was only active against three of the isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts were 1.50 –3.75 mg/ml and 3.25 – 10.0 mg/ml, respectively. The extracts of Piliostigma thonningii have thus demonstrated antibacterial activity against clinical strains of the selected microorganisms. Toxicological and pharmacological studies are necessary to evaluate the safety profile and mechanism of actions of the extracts.
