Chemical constituents, antimicrobial and anthelmintic activity of petroleum ether extract of aerial part of Cleome rutidosperma

Abstract

The work is aimed at identification of chemical constituents and determination of antimicrobial and anthelmintic activity of petroleum ether extract of the aerial part of Cleome rutidosperma. Gc-ms analysis of the extract shows that it contains mainly eucalyptol (83.23%) as well as phytol and 4-ethyloctane. The extract has antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Candidal albicans and Rhizopus nigricans. The present work suggests that eucalyptol is responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the petroleum ether extract. The present work also shows that the extract has anthelmintic activity against Lumbricus terrestris. The plant will therefore serve as a source of antimicrobial and anthelmintic agents.