Phytochemical and Antibacterial Verification of the Ethno-pharmacology of the Root Extracts of Cissampelos owariensis P. Beauv and the Implications

Abstract

Ethno-pharmacological and phytochemical survey of plants species in the Cissampelos genus of the Menispermaceae family as reported by literature was undertaken. Cissampelos owariensis P. Beauv. was selected as model plant with reference to possible antibacterial potency based on ethno-pharmacology of the alcohol extract of the root. Survey showed abundant ethno-pharmacological activity for the plants in the genus supported by a phytochemistry dominated by alkaloids, terpenoids and steroids. Phytochemical tests on the roots of C. owariensis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, triterpenes, steroids, flavones, and flavonols. Furthermore C. owariensis roots, (100mg/ml in alcohol), showed strong antibacterial activity against six selected strains (Klebsiella spp, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Saphylococcus  Aureus and Bacillus subtillis), a result that validated some reported ethno-medical utility of the plant, and having been corroborated, throws up fresh posers as the possibility of bothbroad-spectrum potency and even risk factors.