Phytotoxic, Antibacterial and Haemagglutination activities of the aerial parts of <i>Myrsine africana</i> L.

Abstract

The crude methanolic extract and various fractions derived from the aerial parts of Myrsine africana were screened in vitro for possible phytotoxic, antibacterial and haemagglutination activities. Moderate phytotoxic activity (31.25 %) was observed against Lemna minor L at 1000 μg/ml by chloroform fraction (CHCl₃). The crude methanolic extract and CHCl₃ fraction showed good antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC₅₀ = 2.45 and 2.1 mg/ml respectively). The crude methanolic extract and other fractions showed moderate activity against tested bacterial strains. The CHCl₃ and aqueous fractions showed no activity against Escherichia coli. Similarly, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH) fractions were found to be non active against Bacillus pumilus and Enterobacter aerogenes, respectively. Moderate haemagglutination activity was observed against human red blood cells (RBCs) of blood group AB- by crude methanolic extract and CHCl₃ fraction and against AB⁺ by aqueous fraction, respectively. The plant specie can be a source of antibacterial agent(s) and phytolectins.

Keywords: Myrsine africana, phytotoxicity, haemagglutination, antibacterial and MIC₅₀