Preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of 50 medicinal plants from Nigeria

Ethanolic extracts of 50 plant species were screened for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The results indicated that of the 50 plant extracts, 28 plant extracts inhibited the growth of one or more test pathogens. Four plant extracts showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and essential oils

Pharmacological justification for the ethnomedicinal use of Amblygonocarpus andongensis stem bark in pain relief

Amblygonocarpus andongensis (family: Mimosaceae) is ethnomedicinally used in Northern Nigeria for the relief of pain. The methanolic extract of the plant stem bark was evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity using acetic acid-induced writhing model and formalin test in mice. Anti-inflammatory property was tested on egg albumin-induced oedema in rats while agar dilution method was used for antimicrobial effect. The acute toxicity effect (LD50) was also determined via intraperitoneal route. The results showed the LD50 value to be 547.7 mg/kg i.p. There was a significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent reduction of acetic acid-induced pain at 50, 100, 200 mg/kg i.p. The extract at the same doses significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited pains in both early and late phases of the formalin test. However, the extract showed neither anti-inflammatory nor anti-microbial effects. The results corroborate the folkloric use of the plant

Evaluation of the aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii stem bark for antimicrobial activities and gastrointestinal effects

The aqueous extract of Boswelli dalzielii Hutch (family: Burseraceae) was investigated for therapeutic properties using aspirin-induced ulceration in rats, gastrointestinal motility in mice and castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was carried out via the oral route in mice. Antimicrobial and preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract was also investigated. The extract did not show toxicity signs or death at doses O.O5) protection against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. No antimicrobial effects were shown by the extract (200 mg/kg) against any of the tested organisms. Tannins were detected in the aqueous extract. The above results show that B. dalzielii stem bark probably contains some active ingredients that could be developed for such gastrointestinal problems as have been claimed by traditional medical practitioners. Key words: . African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(5) 2004: 284-28