PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND ANTI-GERMICIDAL EFFICACY OF ETHANOLIC AND AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS OF AGERATUM CONYZOIDES L GROWN IN RWASAVE WETLAND, RWANDA

Abstract

Abstract. Background and aim: The resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to the current antibiotics is considered as a global health dynamic. This has grasped the attention of scholars to find the effective solutions from plant secondary metabolites. Ageratum conyzoides L is a medicinal plant which is mostly used to treat wounds and ulcers in Rwanda. This study is intended to light its beams on the phytochemical evaluation and anti-germicidal efficacy of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Ageratum conyzoides L . grown in Rwasave wetland, Rwanda. Material and methods: The mature fresh leaves were rigorously collected and dried under the shed for 10 days. The dried leaves were blended into powder and macerated with water and 96% ethanol. Phytochemical screening was carried out by following the specific standard procedures. Anti-germicidal efficacy of the extracts was examined by agar well diffusion method and the inhibition zones were recorded. Results: Phytochemical screening disclosed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and proteins. In this evaluation, all the solvents showed the ability to dissolve plant bioactive compounds. Both extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activity against all test pathogens with inhibition zones ranging from 6±0.9 mm to 20±0.5 mm of diameter. The Minimum Inhibition Concentration values range between 0.46875 mg/mL and 15mg/mL. Conclusion: The results confirm that the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides L could be the credible source of anti-germicidal agents that can be used for therapeutic purposes and in production of pharmaceutical products. Keywords : Ageratum conyzoides L , Anti-germicidal, Efficacy, Phytochemical screening, Zone of Inhibition