ABSTRACT

This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial potentials of leaves of Cannabis sativa and Azadirachta indica in its aqueous and ethanolic extract against some clinical organisms. The in-vitro antibacterial potentials of the plants extracts were screened using the paper disc diffusion and broth dilution techniques at varying concentrations. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts showed synergism activity against at least one of the test organisms with the ethanol extract of A. indica and C. sativa showing maximum synergism activity against Staphylococcus aureus with zones of inhibition in the range of 8.5±0.70 to 15.0±1.41mm and 9.0±1.41mm to 12.5±0.70mm respectively. The crude ethanolic extract of the plants, Cannabis sativa and Azadirachta indica showed remarkable synergistic activity against the growth of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 100mg/ml concentrations. With diameter zone inhibition of 14.5mm, 13.0mm and 11.5mm respectively. The aqueous extract of the leaf of these plants, showed least activity when compared with the ethanol extracts. The aqueous extracts were only active at 100mg/ml concentrations. Azadirachta indica extract showed an MIC and MBC values in the range of 12.5 to 50mg/ml. Similarly, Cannabis sativa showed MIC and MBC within 25mg/ml and 50mg/ml concentrations. The Phytochemical screening of samples revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as Alkaloids, Flavonoids, quinines, Cardiac glycosides and Tannins. This study establishes a good support to the use of plant in herbal remedies and as base for development of new drugs.