TITLE:
Antibacterial Activity and Toxicity of the Sap and Aqueous Extract of the Leaves of Jatropha multifida Linn
AUTHORS:
Maximin Senou, Jacques Ezéchiel Lokonon, Edjégué Oloroun-Togni Ruth Abissi, Félicienne Agbogba, René J. Dehou, Espérance Medoatinsa, Pascal Tchogou, Boris Fresel Cachon, Alban Houngbeme, Eugène Attakpa, Amègnona Agbonon, Lamine Baba-Moussa
KEYWORDS:
Jatropha multifida, Antibacterial Activity, Toxicity, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.10 No.7,
July
29,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Jatropha multifida Lin was a plant of traditional Beninese medicine used as an antibiotic. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity and the toxicity of the sap and the aqueous extract of Jatropha multifida leaves. Methods: Phytochemical screening of Jatropha multifida leaves was carried out. The extract was obtained by maceration. The antimicrobial activity of sap and leaves was evaluated on the five strains of hospital germs. Acute oral toxicity by forced gavage in a single dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight was performed on female Wistar rats. Biochemical and hematological parameters were determined. Results: The presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, anthocyanins, mucilages, leuco-anthocyanins and saponosides was noted in the leaves of Jatropha multifida. The aqueous extracts of the leaves inhibited two strains of Staphylococcus aureus out of three, while the sap of Jatropha multifida was 100% bactericidal against the strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus D. The sap and aqueous leaf extract were not bactericidal on strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For the toxicity, there was no death of rats and the aqueous extract of the leaves did not significantly vary the weight of the rats, the creatinine, the ALAT transaminase, the hemoglobin level, the number of white blood cells and blood platelets. Conclusion: The sap of Jatropha multifida exerted a more effective antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract of its leaves. The leaves were not acutely toxic.