Investigation into the Pharmacognostic and Antimicrobial Properties of the Leaf Extract of Bridelia Ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae)

Introduction:Bridelia ferruginea is a well-known shrub that is used in traditional medicine in the management of certain diseases such as dysentery, arthritis and constipation.Aim/objectives: to ascertain the validity of the use of B. ferruginea as an antimicrobial agent, to evaluate the pharmacogenetic profile and differentiate it from adulterated one, to detect the secondary metabolites present in the leaf extract and to compare the plants antimicrobial activity with standard antimicrobial agents. Methods:The leaves of Bridelia ferruginea were plucked from the stem and dried in the shade for approximately 1 week.The leaves were ground into moderately coarse powder using mortar and pestle.A 400 g quantity of the grounded leaves were packed into a glass jar and macerated with methanol for 24 hours.The extracts were then filtered, distilled and concentrated in a rotary evaporator at optimum temperature of 40.5 o C and was brought to complete dryness over a water bath.The flask containing the extract was allowed to cool and the extract was then collected. Results:The MIC values of the Bridelia ferruginea extract against susceptible organisms (S. aureus, B. subtilis and C. albicans) recorded results of 9.5 0.21mm, 7.0 0.15 mm and 9.0 0.20 mm respectively without any significant difference (p < 0.05).The values of the inhibitory zone diameter obtained ranged from 7.0 0.01mm to 9.5 0.02 mm for