Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the fruitrind of <i>Picralima nitida </i> (Aapocynaceae) and the stem bark of <i> Cylicodscus gabunensis </i> (Mimosaceae)

Abstract

Ethyl acetate(EA) extract of the stem bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis (CG) and methanol(M) extract of the fruit-rinds of Picralima nitida (PN) were analysed phytochemically and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against 17 pathogenic species isolated from patient: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Morganella morganii, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella thyphi, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter agglomerans, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus feacalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus T, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, cardiac glycoside and glycoside were detected in the (M) extract of PN whereas flavonoids, saponins, tannins, polyphenols, coumarins, triterpenes and/or sterols and reducing sugars were detected in the (EA) extract of CG. The best MIC and MBC values for the microorganisms sensitive to the (EA) extract of CG were 0.00078 and 0.00315mg/ml respectively whereas its were 0.00078 and 0.001525mg/ml respectively to the methanol extract of PN. The greater and remarkable antimicrobial activities of the (EA) extract of CG were recorded with Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus cereus T whereas it was recorded with Proteus mirabilis for the (M) extract of PN. These results provide a rationalization for the traditional use of both plants for the treatment of infections diseases. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Cylicodiscus gabunensis, Picralima nitida West African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research Vol. 21 (1&2) 2005: pp. 6-12