This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antispasmodic evaluation of crude methanolic stem-bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardenolides,... more
This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antispasmodic evaluation of crude methanolic stem-bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardenolides, cyanogenic glycosides, higher fatty acids, saponins, tannins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, aloes, terpenoids and carbohydrates. The antispasmodic effect of the extract on isolated smooth muscle of the rabbit's jejunum of acetylcholine (ACH) and barium chloride (BaCl 2) induced contractions have indicated a dose-dependent inhibition of the jejunal contraction from 18.9% to 79.4% and 34.1% to 84.2% with the bath concentration of (0.53-2.67 mg/ml) respectively. This study suggests that B. dalzielii extract interfered with the mechanism of jejunal rhythmic activity of the smooth muscle and hence could serve as good antidiarrhoeal and gastrointestinal remedy. The presence of tannins, saponins and flavonoids could be responsible for the remarkable antispasmodic activity observed from the study. This justifies the ethno-medicinal use of this plant as anti-diaarhoeal agent.
Research Interests:
The methanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii (BDME) were phytochemically screened and investigated in vitro against six Gram negative bacteria (S. typhi, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. dysentriae, P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis),... more
The methanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii (BDME) were phytochemically screened and investigated in vitro against six Gram negative bacteria (S. typhi, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. dysentriae, P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis), four Gram positive bacteria (S. aureus, Corynae. spp., S. pyogene and B. subtilis) and four fungal strains (C. albicans, A. flavus, A. niger and Rhizopus spp.) using hole-in-plate disc diffusion technique. The qualitative phytochemical examinations of the crude extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, aloes, cardenolides, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, resins, saponins, tannins, higher fatty acids and carbohydrates. The in vitro antimicrobial assay revealed that, the DIZ against Gram-ve, Gram +ve and fungal strains ranged from 7.33±0.33 to 16.66±0.33 mm, 8.33±0.33 to 17.00±0.00 mm and 9.00±0.00 to 17.33±0.33 mm respectively. The overall susceptibility showed that BDME was more susceptible to fungal strain (C. albicans) than Gram-ve and Gram +ve, although the inhibitory effect in some particular cases insignificant (P>0.05) against E. coli, S. typhi, S. dysentriae, P. mirabilis, S. aureus, Corynaebacterium spp. at highest dosage (200 mg/hole) compared with standard antibiotic Erythromycin (5μg). The MIC, MBC and MFC results revealed that Gram +ve, Gram-ve and fungal strains ranged from 12.5 to 50 mg/ml, 12.5 to 25 mg/ml and 6.25 mg/ml respectively. The BDME was more inhibitory and fungicidal at 6.25 mg/ml against C. albicans. The extract has also shown a remarkable inhibitory and bactericidal effect on Gram +ve and Gram-ve bacteria at 12.5 mg/ml against Corynae. spp., S. dysentriae and B. subtilis respectively. The sensitivity pattern of BDME across the strains of the pathogens studied compared with standard antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin and Gentamicin) and antifungal (ketoconazole) were susceptible to Gram +ve bacteria with the percentage activity of 100 %, Gram-ve bacteria (66.67 %) and fungal strains (100 %). The spectral intensity index (SII) expressed by the extract was found to be 7.27 mm against all the pathogens. These sensitivities observed were due to the presence of the secondary metabolites in the plant.
