Phytochemical and antibacterial screening of mistletoe (<i>Agelanthus dodoniesfolius</i> (DC)) collected from shea butter tree (<i>Vitelleria paradoxa</i>)

Abstract

The increase in the multi-drugs resistant strains of bacteria is a great concern to public health. For long, various plant-derived compounds have been used as drugs. Agelanthus dodoneifolius (DC) refers to ‘Kauchi’ in Hausa has been used ethno-botanically by the Hausa and Fulani ethnic group of Northern Nigeria for the treatment of many human and animal diseases. Such diseases include diarrhea, dysentery, and stomach ache. In this study, the phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of the stem bark and leaves extracts of mistletoe plant (A. dodoneifolius) was evaluated. The plant sample was qualitatively screened for phytochemicals using a standard procedure. The antibacterial activity was examined using the standardized suspension method. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, steroid, alkaloid, anthraquinones and glycosides. The results of antibacterial activity of the A. dodoneifolius showed that S. aureus was more susceptible to methanolic extract of stem bark and leaves extracts producing the largest diameter of inhibition zone of (17 mm) and (15 mm) at the concentration of 10 mg/ml respectively. These results validated the traditional use of A. dodoneisfolius and more phytochemical screenings are necessary to fully explore this species which may lead to development of a novel antibacterial agent.

Keywords: Agelanthus Dodoneisfolius, Antibacterial Activity, Synergetic Effect