PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIBACTERIAL STUDIES OF Euphorbia balsamifera LEAVES ( Aguwa )

Abstract

Euphorbia balsamifera plant belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae . Leaves, stems and root s of Euphorbia bal samifera were extracted using ethanol and the extracts were screened for phytochemical components. The phytochemical results indicated that the plant con tained tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroid s , glycosides, terpenoid s , alkaloid s , and anthraquinones . E thanol extract of leaves and its fractions were tested for an tibacterial activity using agar well diffusion method and were found to show inhibitory activity against Escherich i a col i , Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The sensitivity test results showed highest activity of 25 mm zone of inhibition at 120mg/ml of chloroform fraction against M icrococcus species . The MIC and MBC of the chloroform fraction were 5 mg/ml and 7 mg/ml respectively . T he TLC of chloroform fraction of leaves sho wed six components of different R f value using benzene: ethyl acetate (3:1) solvent system. The chloroform fract ion was further subjected to column chromatography , after which preparative TLC was carried out on the fraction obtained from column . The isolated compound was subjected to IR, UV and GC - MS S pectroscopy which reve aled the presence of ( 6H - Indolo[3,2,1 - de ][1,5]naphthyridin - 6 - one) and fatty acid in the isolated compound. Therefore the bioactive of Euphorbia balsamifera leaves can be served as a lead for the development of new pharmaceutical therapeutic needs