Phytochemical And Antibacterial Studies Of The Roots Of Acokanthera Schimperi

Abstract

All Through Time Humans Have Used Different Parts Of Medicinal Plants To Cure Illness. Medicinal Values Of These Plants Lie In Some Chemical Substances That Produce A Definite Physiological Action On The Human Body. A.Schimperi Is An Important Medicinal Plant Which Belongs To The Perennial Family Apocynaceae And Genus Acokanthera. Traditionally A.Schimperi Is Used For Treating Malaria, Tonsillitis, Skin Disorders, Headache, Epilepsy, Amnesia, Wound, Syphilis, Unstopped Menstruation. In This Study The Powdered Roots Of A.Schimperi Was Extracted With Organic Solvents Of Increasing Polarity (N-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate, And Methanol) Successively By Maceration Method Of Extraction (72hrs Each). The Crude Extracts Were Phytochemically Screened Using Standard Methods, Fractionated And Purified Using Column Chromatographic Techniques. Antibacterial Testing Was Carried Out For Crude Extracts And Fractions Using Disc Diffusion Method And Tested For Activity Against Three Gram Negative Bacteria; Escherichia Coli, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Proteus Mirabilis, And Two Gram Positive Bacteria; Staphylococcus Aureus And Bacillus Subtilis. The Results Of Antibacterial Test Indicated The Potential Of The Root Of This Plant In Treating Bacterial Infections Of The Skin. Except Ethyl Acetate Extract Both Meoh And Chcl3 Fractions And Crudes Of The Plant Were Found To Have Activity On At Least Two Strains Of Bacteria With The Maximum Zone Of Inhibition 10mm. The Phytochemical Screening Tests Carried Out On The Roots Of A.Schimperi Indicated The Presence Of Tannins, Cardiac Glycosides, And Coumarins For All Crude Extracts. Chemical Structures Of Pure Compounds 22and 23 Were Elucidated With The Help Of Spectroscopic Techniques Using Nmr And Ir.