Phytochemical and anti-microbial activity of methanolic extract of <i>Moringa oleifera</i>, <i>Aspilia africana</i> and <i>Azadirachta indica</i> leaves using rabbit caecum

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam, Azadirachta indica, Aspilia Africana (Pers) C. D. Adams against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saphrophyticus were determined using agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The result showed that the MIC ranges from 21.3-42.5 mg, 42.5-85.0 mg and 85.0 mg for M. oleifera, A. indica and A. africana leaf extracts respectively against E. coli and S. aureus. The phytochemical screening of the leaves revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as tannin, saponin, alkaloid, flavonoid and phenol. The secondary metabolites detected in the leaves are responsible for the observed antibacterial activity of the plant and hence, its potential use as medicinal herb in the treatment of infections caused by the test organisms.

Keywords: Methanolic extract, Antibacterial activity, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, Phytochemical, Moringa, Neem, Aspilia