Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Study on the Leaves of Morinda lucida (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

An ethno medicinal study was conducted through the means of an informal interview with an herbalist at Akim-Tafo, in the Eastern region of Ghana. Preliminary phytochemical tests carried out on the leaves of Morindalucida indicated the presence of saponins, anthraquinones, cardenolides, alkaloids, sterols and tannins. ThinLayer Chromatography and Column Chromatography method were used in the laboratory for the analysis of acrude extract from Morinda lucida. A total of nine components were isolated from Morinda lucida using asolvent system containing hexane and ethyl acetate (2:1) as the mobile phase and a stationary phase of silica gel.The crude leaf extract of Morinda lucida was investigated for inhibitory activity on Salmonella typhi,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro using the agar well diffusion method. Morindalucida showed inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with no activityagainst Salmonella typhi at a concentration of 10mg/ml.Keywords: Morinda lucida, thin layer chromatography, column chromatography, antimicrobial activity.