dc.contributor.author | Njogu, Peter M | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-01-25T10:38:27Z | |
dc.date.available | 2014-01-25T10:38:27Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2007 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Master of pharmacy in pharmaceutical analysis | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11295/64347 | |
dc.description.abstract | Girardinia diversifolia (Link) Friis (Urticaceae) is a herb used traditionally for
various ailments, including microbial infections. The objective of this study was to
carry out phytochemical investigation of its chemical constituents and screen it for in
vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities.
The plant material was collected from Kamweti Location, Kirinyaga District.
Phytochemical studies showed that the roots and stems of Girardinia diversifolia
contained saponins, tannins and cardiac glycosides but lacked alkaloids and
anthracene glycosides. Extracts of the plant material were prepared by sequential
Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether (60-80 "C), chloroform and methanol. Ethyl
acetate extract was prepared by partitioning the methanol extract between water and
ethyl acetate. Chromatographic fractionation of the petroleum ether root extract using
normal-phase silica gel yielded four crystalline compounds, three of which were
identified as ~-sitosterol, 3-hydroxystigrnast-5-en-7-one and 7-hydroxysitosterol. This
isthe first time that these compounds are reported from Girardinia diversifolia.
Agar diffusion method was used to screen for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal
activities. All the tested extracts exhibited varying degrees of antibacterial activity
against Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Bioautography
using Bacillus pumi/us revealed several components with antibacterial activity in all
extracts. Only the ethyl acetate extract exhibited significant antifungal activity against
Aspergillus niger and Candida a/Means. Bioautography using Saccharomyces
cerevisiae revealed one component in the ethyl acetate extract with remarkable
antifungal activity. 7-hydroxysitosterol and the yet to be identified fourth isolate
exhibited modest antibacterial activity against Bacillus pumilus.
The present study gives scientific credence to the traditional use of Girardinia
diversifolia in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. The antimicrobial
activity seems to be concentrated in the polar fractions and these should be
investigated further to isolate the bioactive components. In vivo studies should also be
carried out to establish therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of the isolates. | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | University of Nairobi | en_US |
dc.title | Phytochemical investigation and antimicrobial activity of girardinia diversifolia (link) friis (urticaceae) | en_US |
dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
dc.description.department | a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya | |