Evaluation of bioactivity of stem bark extracts of Lovoa trichiliodes (Harm) and Trichilia heudelotii Planc (Harm)

This study evaluated the bioactivity of the stem bark extracts of Lovoa trichiliodes and Trichilia heudelotii using standard methods. The highest yield of 10.20% was obtained from the stem bark extract of T. heudelotii. Qualitative phytochemical examination of the plant extracts indicated the presence of different secondary metabolites which remarkably inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhii, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.  However, the cold water extract of L. trichiliodes exhibited no activity against the test pathogens. The highest mean (22.33±0.33 mm) zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.5 mg/ml were exhibited by the acetone stem bark extract of L trichiliodes against B. subtilis ATCC6633. The results affirmed the traditional uses of the plants in the management and treatment of numerous diseases caused by the test pathogens.