PHYTOCHEMICALS SCREENING AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ANOGEISUS LEOCARPUS (MARKE) STEM BACK EXTRACT AGAINST SOME CLINIC ISOLATES

Abstract Background: Anogeissus leiocarpus, commonly known as African birch, has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. This study investigates the phytochemical composition and antibacterial efficacy of Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark extracts against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The phytochemical screening was performed on aqueous and ethanolic extracts to detect the presence of secondary metabolites. The antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, measuring the zone of inhibition at different concentrations. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined using standard procedures. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, quinones, steroids, terpenoids, and phenols in the aqueous extract, while the ethanolic extract contained alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and phenols. Anthraquinones were absent in both extracts. The ethanolic extract exhibited higher antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract, with zones of inhibition ranging from 8 mm to 19 mm for E. coli and S. aureus. The MIC and MBC results indicated that E. coli was more susceptible to both extracts (MIC: 3.125 mg/mL), while S. aureus required a higher MIC (12.5 mg/mL) for the ethanolic extract. Conclusion: The study confirms that Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark possesses significant antibacterial properties, with the ethanolic extract demonstrating higher efficacy against S. aureus. These findings support the traditional use of the plant in treating bacterial infections and suggest its potential for developing herbal antimicrobial agents.