Phytochemistry, Antimicrobial and Toxicological Studies of Greenwayodendron suaveolens Seed Extracts

Abstract

Greenwayodendron suaveolens is a tropical deciduous plant traditionally used to treat several aliments such as fever, rheumatism, pains, oedema and swollen glands. The antimicrobial properties, phytochemistry and toxicity of G. suaveolens aqueous and chloroform seed extracts were evaluated using referenced procedures as broth dilution, spread plate and frothing test. The test microbial isolates used were; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and terpenoids were detected in the seed extracts. S. aureus was susceptible whilst A. niger showed the least zone of inhibition against chloroform seed extract. The maximal MIC values were exhibited by chloroform and aqueous seed extract against S. aureus and E. coli. A. niger and C. albicans had the least MIC values against the aqueous seed extract. All the test bacterial cultures showed multiple resistance against the control antibiotics. The administered aqueous seed extract was non-toxic to rats at the maximal dose, 400 mg/kg, reflecting the fact that the lethal dose (LD50) of the aqueous seed extract was greater than 400 mg/kg. The observed difference in the mean body weights of the different groups of rats administered varying doses of G. suaveolens aqueous seed extract were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).