Abstract

Introduction: Medicinal plants play a significant role in the health maintenance in underdeveloped countries, herbs and spices continue serve as a new sources for herbal medicines. Aim: The objective was to investigate phytochemical screening and biocidal activity on stem bark Chrysophyllum albidum (Linn) and straw Aristolochia ringens using chloroform. Methods: Chloroform extracts of C. albidum and A. ringens were obtained and screened for phytochemical constituents. The colour intensity or the precipitate formation was used as analytical responses to these tests. The Antimicrobial activities crude extracts were evaluated against some microorganisms with broth microdilution test. The extracts were screened for in-vitro cytotoxic activity against breast tumour and liver tumour cells. Results: The results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, steroids, anthraquinone and glycosides. C. albidum and A. ringens chloroform extracts revealed high quantities of alkaloid and flavonoid respectively. While cardiac glycoside and anthraquinone were found with low quantity in C. albidum and A. ringens extracts respectively. C. albidum showed promising bacterial activity against Escherichia coli and cytotoxic activity to liver tumour cells. While A. ringens, showed excellent bacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and good fungal activity against Candida albicans. A. ringens also showed cytotoxic to liver tumour and breast tumour cells. The observed antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects may be due to the antagonist or synergistic effect of the secondary metabolites identified in the extracts. Conclusion: Medicinal plants studied showed good potential biological activities that support the idea that traditional medicines remain useful healthcare in developing countries

Keywords: Chrysophyllum albidum, Aristolochia ringens, and Antimicrobial activity