Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial studies on the aqueous ethanol extract of the leaves of Walteria indica. Linn (Sterculiaceae) and aerial parts of Euphorbia hirta Linn (Euphorbiaceae)
Subject Areas : Journal of Medicinal Herbs, "J. Med Herb" (Formerly known as Journal of Herbal Drugs or J. Herb Drug)Umar Faruk Shehu 1 * , Given Vihityo Toma 2 , Abdulrahman Adamu 3 , Ibrahim Muazzam Aliyu 4
1 - Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;
2 - Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;
3 - Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;
4 - Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Keywords: Antimicrobial, Euphorbia hirta, Flavonoids, Phytochemicals, Waltheria indica,
Abstract :
Background & Aim: Waltheria indica and Euphorbia hirta are traditionally employed in African ethnomedicine to manage microbial infections. This study aims to scientifically validate these uses through phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial evaluation of their aqueous ethanol extracts. Experimental: The aerial parts of E. hirta and leaves of W. indica were extracted using 75% ethanol. Phytochemical screening was conducted using standard qualitative methods. Antimicrobial activities were assessed via agar well diffusion against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined using serial dilution and sub-culturing methods based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds in both extracts. Antimicrobial tests indicated that both plant extracts had notable inhibitory effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but not on A. niger. Notably, W. indica exhibited a lower MIC (12.5 mg/mL) and MBC (50 mg/mL) against S. aureus compared to E. hirta. The combination of both extracts showed enhanced zones of inhibition, especially against E. coli (22 mm), S. aureus (20 mm), and B. subtilis (22 mm), suggesting potential synergistic interactions. However, antifungal activity was absent across all samples. Recommended applications/industries: These findings support the development of plant-based antimicrobial agents from W. indica and E. hirta for the treatment of bacterial infections. Further studies should isolate and characterize the active constituents, explore mechanisms of action, and assess toxicity and efficacy in vivo to support pharmaceutical applications.
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