Antimicrobial Investigations, Phytochemical Constituents and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Acokanthera Schimperi (a. Dc.) Schweinf. Leaves Crude Extract
Abstract
Phytomedicine, a significant area of study and an intervention towards alleviation of mankind
and animal suffering using ethnomedicine and ethnoveterinary approaches, has catapulted
bioprospection in drug discovery. This strategic approaches have led to our cynosure on
Acokanthera schimperi (A. DC.) Schweinf. (Apocynaceae family). In the study, botanical
identification and collection of plant voucher specimen was done in the company of both an
herbalist and a Taxonomist. The latter was then deposited in the University of Nairobi
Herbarium, School of Biological Sciences, Chiromo Campus where a voucher specimen
number was issued. Approximately 5kg leaves of the study plant were sampled from several
shrubs and transported to the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of
Nairobi, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Services. Shade drying for two weeks was done
after which, the leaves were pulverized using Chrisky Hunt machine 800 laboratory Mill at
LARMAT to fine powder. About 4.5 grams of the dried powder was divided and put in three
separate large conical flasks into which respective solvents were added. Hydroethanolic
(50:50), distilled water and acetone (analytical grade) were the extraction solvents of choice.
The conical flasks were air-tightly corked and put in a dark chamber for 24 hours to allow for
extraction. Corresponding extracts obtained were labelled Hydroethanolic, Aqueous and
Acetone extracts respectively. The determination of the extracts’ cytotoxicity, antimicrobial
activity and qualitative phytochemistry was done. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the
extracts were tested against standard reference organisms viz. Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922),
Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Bacillus
cereus (ATCC 11778) and Candida albicans (ATCC 102231). Moreover, the safety of the
generated extracts was evaluated using the BSLA using Artemia salina Leach. Qualitative
phytochemistry analysis was also included in the study so as to identify secondary metabolites
present in the extracts...
Publisher
University of Nairobi
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http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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