Phytochemistry and antimicrobial activities of <I>Cassia occidentalis</I>

Abstract

Leaves of Cassia occidentalis were extracted with ethanol, methanol and water and the extracts used to carryout antimicrobial screening in vitro on staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, shigella spp. Chromatographic separation was carried out on the active extracts and the efficacy of the resulting fractions was tested against the susceptible organism. Some of the extracts indicated significant inhibitory activity against the tested organisms. General, phytochemical screening was done on the ethanol, water extracts and fractions. Ethanol extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, cardiac glycoside terpenoids and anthraquinones, while the fraction revealed the presence of tannins, terpenoid and anthraquinones. This result might explain the ethno-botanical use of the plant for the treatment of dysentery, gastro internal disorder, constipation and typhoid fever.

Keywords: Cassia occidentalis, ethnobotany medicinal plant, photochemistry, antimicrobial