Antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate sub-fractions of African Yam Bean (AYB) (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) on Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

The diverse ethno-medicinal and-pharmacological potentials of Sphenostylis stenocarpa commonly known as the African yam bean (AYB) puts this plant in the spotlight for extensive research as a reliable source for bioactive compounds for drug development against both hospital- and community-acquired infections caused by multidrug resistant pathogens. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of sub-fractions of Sphenostylis stenocarpa on some multidrug resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to Vacuum liquid chromatograpic (VLC) technique and the antibacterial potentials of the sub-fractions were tested against multidrug resistant strains of Staphylococcus aurues, and Escherichia coli using the agar well diffusion assay technique. The sub-fractions of the ethyl acetate fraction showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities except n-Hexane:Ethyl acetate: NH:ETH (3:7) sub-fraction. The active sub-fractions also produced a concentration-dependent microbial growth inhibition, suggesting the potential of the bioactive compounds to attain the highest possible antimicrobial concentration at the site of infection. Previous Phytochemical analysis identified the presence of antibacterial compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins in the crude extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa L. In conclusion, Sphenostylis stenocarpa L could serve as a promising potential source of antimicrobial compounds against multidrug resistant pathogens.