Antimicrobial properties of Sacrocephalus latifolius (Sm.) Bruce

Abstract

Sacrocephalus latifolius (Sm.) Bruce (Rubiaceae) formerly known as Nauclea latifolia (Sm.), is a highly valued medicinal plant used in ethnomedicine in the treatment of various infectious diseases due to its insecticidal and antiparasitic properties. The proximate, mineral composition and antimicrobial properties of the leaves were analyzed with a view to evaluate its nutritional and medicinal potentials. The proximate analysis revealed that the moisture content, ash, lipid, crude fibre, crude protein and the carbohydrate content of the leaves were 56.36 ± 0.50, 5.93 ± 0.2, 0.28 ± 0.50, 4.48 ± 0.20, 6.55 ± 0.10 and 3.21 ± 0.30%, respectively. Mineral compositions of the leaves showed that the vitamins content, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc content of the leaves were 3.41 + 0.30, 1.52 + 0.20, 2.28 + 0.30, 3.51 + 0.20 and 2.71 + 0.20%, respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids and saponins in the methanolic extracts of the sample. Aqueous, choloroform and methanol extracts exhibited broad spectrum activity against Staphyococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by using disc diffusion method. The results indicate that S. latifolius contains substantial amounts of organic constituents and minerals, suggesting its potential for nutrient composition. As such, the results of phytochemical screening could justify observed antimicrobial herbal medicine.