Comparative investigation of the phytochemical profile and antimicrobial potential of Cassia singuenna extracts obtained from the stembark, roots and leaves

Abstract

Cassia singueana, a prominent medicinal plant employed extensively by traditional herbalists to address different health conditions in northern Nigeria, was investigated for its phytochemical composition and antibacterial properties. The root, stem bark, and leaves were sequentially extracted with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol by soxhlet extraction method. Standard procedures were followed for the phytochemical analysis, well diffusion and broth serial microdilution assays were used for testing the antimicrobial properties including, minimum bactericidal concentration,minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration. Phytochemical screening revealed flavonoids in stem and leaf extracts obtained with chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol, but not in root extracts. Alkaloids were detected in all leaf and stem extracts, except those obtained with n-hexane, and in root extracts. Saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, and terpenoids were detected in most extracts. The extracts exhibited notable antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones between 20-31mm, comparable to standard drugs like ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Ethanol and chloroform extracts showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium, with minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL, respectively. These results suggest Cassia singueana as a promising candidate for developing alternative medicines to treat select microbial infections.