Phytochemical Investigation And Antibacterial Activities Of Leaves Extract Of Combretum Paniculatum Vent

Abstract

Combretum paniculatum (Combretaceae) is traditionally used in some parts of Ethiopia for treating ringworm, wounds, diarrhea and other infections. The leaves of C. paniculatum (300 g) were successively extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol to furnish 4.51 g, 8.86 g and 21.5 g, respectively. The EtOAc extract showed interesting spots on TLC and hence subjected to fractionation over repeated silica gel column chromatography which gave two compounds identified as myristic acid and 1-(2’,6’-dihyroxphenyl-2-(4”-hdroxyphenyl))-1,2ethane-diol. Structure elucidations of isolated compounds were achieved by using spectroscopic methods including IR and NMR, and in some cases by comparing spectral data with the literature value reported for the same compounds. To the best of my knowledge, the latter compound has not yet been reported in the literature. Phytochemical screening tests have shown that leaves extracts of C. paniculatum contain terpenoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and phenols. Furthermore the hexane, EtOAc and methanol extracts were evaluated for antibacterial activity by using paper disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsella preumanin and Proteus mirabilis. The n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts were active against S. aureus, E. coli and P. mirabilis at concentration of 1.5mg/mL each. On the other hand, the methanol extract is not active against E. coli but showed activity against K. preumanin. 1-(2, 6’-dihyroxyphenyl-2-(4”- hdroxyphenyl))-1,2-ethane-diol was found to be active against all bacterial strains tested indicating its broad spectrum activity. The results obtained substantiate the traditional use of this plant against wound caused by bacteria.