In vitro phytochemical and biological evaluation of hydroethanolic extract of Anchomanes difformis In Togo

The increasing proliferation of strains that are multidrug-resistant to conventional antibiotics has created a pressing need to explore alternative bioactive compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different organs of Anchomanes difformis, a medicinal plant widely used in the traditional pharmacopoeia of West Africa, against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. Total hydroethanolic extracts from the leaves, bulbs, and rhizomes were obtained by maceration. The phytochemical composition of the extracts was assessed qualitatively using standard staining techniques to identify major secondary metabolite groups. Total flavonoid content was quantified spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using two complementary methods: the phosphomolybdate reduction assay and the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) test. In vitro antimicrobial activity was assessed by solid diffusion methods (well and disk diffusion assays). The highest hydroethanolic extraction yield was recorded for the leaf bark extract of A. difformis (9.47%). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, and reducing sugars. The bulb extract exhibited the highest total flavonoid content (33.78 µg R Eq /mg DE). The leaf extract demonstrated strong in vitro antioxidant potential, with 37.79 AA Eq /g DE and 270.50 µmol FeSO₄ Eq /mg DE. However, none of the extracts produced visible inhibition zones in the antimicrobial assays performed by either diffusion method. The findings indicate that hydroethanolic extracts from the organs of Anchomanes difformis did not exhibit antibacterial or antifungal activity against the tested microorganisms. Nonetheless, further investigations into other biological activities of this plant could help elucidate the basis of its traditional medicinal use.