Ali Ibeabuchi Jude, Okorie Ndidiamaka Hannah, Ugodi Gerald Walter, Ujam Treasure Nonye, Ugwu Celestine Obiora, Okwori Joseph Micheal and Okoye Festus Basden

Objective: Combretum bauchiense as claimed in folkloric medicine is used for treatment of infectious diseases, feverish condition and as a tonic. There is no documented scientific report on its biological activity as at the time of this research. This research work evaluates the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of extract and fractions of Combretum bauchiense leaves against six pathogenic microorganisms. Methods: Cold maceration and vacuum liquid chromatographic methods were employed for extraction and fractionation respectively. The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods. In vitro antibacterial study was carried out to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration using agar dilution method.

Result: The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugar in extract whereas hexane fraction contained terpenoids and saponin, ethyl acetate fraction contained of terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugar and butanol fraction contained flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugar. The results the minimum inhibitory concentration value of extract and fractions ranged from 0.3125 - 5mg/mL against the test organisms.

Conclusion: Combretum bauchiense leaves have demonstrated reasonable antibacterial activity comparable to commonly prescribed synthetic antibiotic agent. The leaves of the plant may possibly be a putative source of antibiotic agent in combating infectious diseases thus substantiating its folkloric claims.

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