Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial efficacy of extracts from Khaya senegalensis against human pathogenic bacteria

Khaya senegalensis has medicinal properties for the effective management of several ailments including diarrhea. To establish the pharmacological rationale for its traditional use, the powdered root, stem-bark and leaves were extracted with water and ethanol. All fractions were subjected to phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using the disc-diffusion method. The extracts contained saponins, tannins, phenols but no flavanoids, glycosides and resin. The stem-bark of the water fractions and the roots, stem-bark and leaves fractions of the ethanol fractions were active on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp. and Baccilus subtilis,. These findings support the claim for its treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.