Phytochemical, Chemical and Biomedical Characterization of Crude Extracts of Macrosphyra longistyla (DC.) Hiern.

Abstract

Phytochemical analysis of Macrosphyra longistyla leaf, stem bark, and root extracts revealed different constituents. The GCMS analyses of their ethanolic extracts showed the presence of bioactive compounds: the stem bark yielded 9 compounds, such as squalene, vitamin E, and fatty acids; the root extract revealed 10 different compounds, especially morpholine, isophorone and fatty acids. The extracts demonstrated high proteinase inhibition potentials. The aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaf, stem bark, and root were tested against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 144m, Escherichia coli ATCC11229, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC13311, Enterococcus faeciumATCC700221, Shigella flexneri ATCC12012 and laboratory strain of Streptococcus mutans with the diameter of zone of inhibitions ranging from 10 to 40 mm. The study revealed a marked susceptibility pattern of the test organisms to the ethanol and ethyl-acetate extracts showing varied diameter of zones of inhibitions. The aqueous extract was ineffective against the pathogens.. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranged from 25-100mg/ml. All the test organisms except S. mutans were susceptible to control antibiotic (streptomycin 10µg).. The presence of arrays of bioactive ingredients implicated in the treatment of specific ailments has provided a scientific justification for Macrophyla longistyla as an alternative remedy for the treatment of bacterial infections.