Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Crude Methanol Extract of Solanum nodiflorum Jacq (Solanaceae)

Abstract

Ethno botanical survey of medicinal plants has always serve as a rich source of valuable information that has been transmitted through generations. Ethnomedical use of Solanum nodiflorum as claimed by traditional healers was investigated. The methanol extract of S. nodiflorum (whole plant) was screened in-vitro for antifungal and antibacterial activity using pathogenic strains that are implicated in man and animal diseases. The plant extract significantly inhibited the growth of infectious dermatophytes namely Candida albicans, Trichophyton tonsurans and Aspergillus flavus. The extract effectively inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella paratyphie A, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis, but inactive against klebsiella pneumoneae. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides. Tannins and flavonoids were not detected in the extract. Solanum nodiflorum possess broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.