PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIMICROBIAL SENSITIVITY TEST OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF THE ROOT WOOD AND ROOT BARK OF Zanthozylum zanthozyloides (LAM.) ON CLINICAL ISOLATES

Abstract

Zanthozylum zanthozyloides a common component of the rain forest vegetation is used as a chewing stick. It is known for its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antisickling, antibacterial, antiviral, antihepatoxicity, antiallegic, antitumor and antihypertensive properties. Phytochemicals present include Saponins, Tannins, Phenols, Cardiac glycoside, Flavonoids, Anthracene and Alkaloids. The aqueous extracts of the root bark and root wood are bactericidal and fungicidal against selected clinical microorganisms such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Rhizopus oryzae. Of all the tested microorganisms Proteus mirabilis was the most sensitive to the root wood extract of Z. zanthozyloides at the concentration of 100mg/ml (18.00 mm), while the least sensitive microorganism was K. pneumoniae at concentration of 12.5mg/ml (1.67 mm). S. epidermidis showed the highest sensitivity of 19.67 mm (100mg/ml) to the extract of the root bark of Z. zanthozyloides while E. coli showed the least sensitivity of 1.67 mm at the concentration of 25mg/ml. Majority of the antimicrobial drugs used in this study were less effective against the tested bacteria and fungi isolates compared to the plant extracts, indicating its relevance in the treatment of infectious diseases. Though the root bark possesses more bioactive materials, the result of this study provides a basis for the development of new pharmaceutical drugs from both root wood, root bark or whole root of Z. zanthozyloides