Strychnos innocua (Delile): Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Evaluations of its root bark extracts

The antifungal and antibacterial effects of medicinal plants have long been known. The root bark decoction of Strychnos innocua (a Loganiaceae plant) has been used to treat skin infections, candidiasis, and other disorders. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine the phytochemical, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of root bark extracts of S. innocua. This is the first time a study of this nature is been conducted using the root bark of the plant. Maceration with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol as solvents was used in the extraction process, while the phytochemical analysis of the extracts followed a standard procedure. This confirmed the presence of flavonoids, coumarines, triterpenes, steroids, saponins, tannins, phenols, anthraquinones, quinones, carbohydrates, phlobatannins, glycosides, cardiac and alkaloids. The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activities against MRSA, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, C. krusei, A. fumigatus, C. albicans while no activity against E. coli, S. pyogenes, S. typhii, A. niger and K. Pneumoniae were observed. MIC and MBC/MFC were also determined. In conclusion, the root bark of S. innocua is thought to be rich in phytochemicals and has antifungal and antibacterial effects against some of the tested pathogens.