Preliminary Phytochemistry, Antimicrobial Properties and Acute Toxicity of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl.Leaves

Abstract

The phytochemical analysis carried out on the leaves of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis showed the presence of secondary metabolites including tanins, saponins and flavonoids which have great medicinal property. Crude concentrations of aqueous extract of leaves showed varying activities on Bacillus subtillis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella arogene, Proteus mirabilis and J62K1 serving as control. Similar trend applied to the alcoholic extract of leaf but slight inhibition was observed on Staphyllococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris thus indicating it’s antimicrobial effect but at high concentration. The acute toxicity of the aqueous extract on Winstar rats revealed no mortality even up to dose of 4 g kg-1 body weight and no significant changes in body weight p>0.05. Also, eye color was normal and loss of hair was absence. Thus indicating that the plant is therapeutically safe for use even at high concentration, though the chronic effect was not investigated.