Evaluation of the Phytochemicals and Antimicrobial Activities of the Ethanolic, Hexane and Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Spigelia Anthelmia Leaves

Uzama Danlami

doi:10.11648/j.ijpc.20170303.11

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the phytoconstituents and antimicrobial activities of the hexane, ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Spigelia anthelmia leaves. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard methods. The Agar well diffusion method was adopted in carrying out the antimicrobial screening. The results of the phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, resins and volatile oils in hexane extract; saponins, alkaloids, tannins and balsams in ethanolic extract and tannins, steroids, terpenoids and volatile oils in ethyl acetate extract. The antimicrobial screening indicated that the hexane extract was active on Escherichia coli, Salmonela typhi, Klebsiela pneumonia and Pseudomonas ariginosa but inactive on staphylococcus aureus. The ethanolic extract was active on all the test organisms. The ethyl acetate extract was active on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas ariginosa but inactive on staphylococcus aureus. This indicated that the hexane, ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Spigelia anthelmia leaves can serve as potential antibiotics in ethno medicines.

Highlights

Spigelia anthelmia is a genus of flowering plants in the family of Loganiaceae
This revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, resins and volatile oils in hexane extracts
Alkaloids, tannins and balsams were present in the ethanolic extract while Tannins, steroids, terpenoids, resins and volatile oils were present in the ethyl acetate extract

Summary

Introduction

Spigelia anthelmia is a genus of flowering plants in the family of Loganiaceae. The plant Spigelia anthelmia, known as pinkroot, is a tropical annual weed [1].The herb pinkroot, which forms the basis of the homeopathic remedy spigelia, is indigenous to the. Spigelia anthelmia is a genus of flowering plants in the family of Loganiaceae. The plant Spigelia anthelmia, known as pinkroot, is a tropical annual weed [1]. Native American tribes used the weed's root for treating the body for intestinal parasites, such as round worm and tape worm [2]. It is found in Nigeria, Senegal, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Asia, Canada, Ghana, Brazil, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka and Mexico [3]. Spigelia anthemia is not higher than 1 foot tall and it has feather lobed leaves with small purple flowers. The flowers are on one side of the spike and they open in the afternoon [4]

Objectives

Methods

Results