THE PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF DIALIUM GUINEENSE, VITEX DONIANA AND DENNETTIA TRIPETALA LEAVES

The phytochemical constituent and the antimicrobial activity of the leaves of three wild plant species Dialium guineense (Willd), Vitex doniana (Sweet) and Dennettia tripetala (Bak. F) were investigated to ascertain their pharmaceutical potential. The study revealed that the leaves contained alkaloid, flavonoids, saponin, phenols, tannin and steroids. The percentage phytochemical constituents of the leaves of the plants were as follows: Alkaloid (1.21- 2.42), flavonoids (0.18- 0.50), saponin (0.90- 1.25), phenols (0.075- 0.142) tannin (0.159- 0.577) and steroid (0.035- 0.048). The ethanolic extracts of the leaves of the plants were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureues, Pseudomonas areuginosa, and Salmonella typhi by the agar well diffusion method. The extracts inhibited the growth of these pathogens. The diameter of the inhibition zone ranged between 0.1 to 14 mm. The MIC (minimum inhibition concentration) values of the extracts ranged from 2.33 to 23.30 mg/ ml. The results obtained indicate that the leaves of the plants have pharmaceutical values and can be utilized in treatment of some aliments.