Abstract
Alchornea laxiflora belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family has ethnomedicinal applications as antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial agent. This present study investigated the spectroscopic, antibacterial, and toxicity profile of essential oil of Alchornea laxiflora (ALEO). The composition of ALEO was detected using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Using agar disc diffusion, the antibacterial activity of ALEO against five clinical isolates: Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Bacillus cereus ATCC 10872, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was evaluated. The toxicity profile of ALEO was obtained in studies involving Wistar rats. GC-MS analysis identified eight bioactive compounds, mostly fatty acids and their ester derivatives. The FTIR spectrum revealed peaks at 3500-3180 cm‾¹ and 2950-2800 cm‾¹ corresponding to O-H stretch band of alcohol and the C-H stretch of aliphatic alkane, respectively. The highest zone of inhibition diameter was recorded against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10872 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, while the least zone of inhibition was against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. Oral administration of ALEO caused an elevation in Alanine aminotransferase activity. The essential oil of Alchornea laxiflora has potential as an antibacterial. However, the doses used in this study might be slightly hepatotoxic
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