Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on the leaves and stem of<i>Desmodium scorpiurus</i> Der (sw)

Abstract

Phytochemical studies on the aerial parts of Desmodium scorpiurus Der (sw) revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, steroids and carbohydrates. The petroleum spirit, chloroform and methanol extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity using clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyrogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results showed that the plant is very active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyrogenes with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 x 102 mg/ml.