Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on the leaves and stem of Desmodium scorpiurus Der (sw)

Abstract

Phytochemical studies on the aerial parts of Desmodium scorpiurus Der (sw) revealed the presence of
alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, steroids and carbohydrates. The petroleum spirit, chloroform and
methanol extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity using clinical isolates of Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyrogenes and Klebsiella
pneumoniae. The results showed that the plant is very active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyrogenes with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 x 102
mg/ml.