EXTRACT

Urinary tract pathogens are increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics, prompting interest in plant-derived bioactive agents. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and antibacterial potential of Cinnamomum tamala bark extracts against selected clinical isolates. Dried bark samples were subjected to aqueous and ethanolic extraction, followed by phytochemical screening using GC–MS analysis. Antimicrobial activity was carried out using ditch plate and agar well diffusion methods, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined via agar dilution techniques. The ethanolic extract demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition, with zones of inhibition ranging from 8.25 ± 4.8 mm at 50 µg/mL to 21.75 ± 2.93 mm at 800 µg/mL, showing significant differences across concentrations (p = 0.034). The aqueous extract exhibited no effect at low concentrations but was active at higher concentration, producing inhibition zones up to 6.50 ± 3.77 mm, significantly different across groups (p < 0.001). MIC results indicated stronger activity for the ethanolic extract, particularly against E. coli (12.5 µg/mL), compared to the aqueous extract, which required higher concentrations (100–200 µg/mL) across organisms. Similarly, ethanolic MBC values ranged between 25–100 µg/mL, significantly lower than the consistent 200 µg/mL required for the aqueous extract. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and phenols in both extracts, while saponins and glycosides were exclusive to the aqueous extract, and steroids and resins were unique to the ethanolic extract. GC–MS analysis identified major constituents including Squalene (21.13%), 9- Octadecenoic acid (17.62%), and 13-Octadecenal (16.89%) in the ethanolic extract, while the aqueous extract was dominated by 9-Borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (28.24%) and Cyclopropane derivatives (17.04%). These findings highlight the potent antibacterial efficacy of C. tamala ethanolic extract, particularly against E. coli, with activity linked to its terpenoid and fatty acid constituents. The results suggest that C. tamala may serve as a promising source of natural antimicrobials.

Phytochemicals constituents were screened for using different reagent to test for the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, anthraquinones, reducing sugars and flavonoids. Diverse ethno medical applications exist for Vernonia amygdalina. However, the plant has only been the subject of a limited number of pharmacological research, and there hasn't been a thorough scientific investigation of its aphrodisiac properties. As a result, this study examined the aphrodisiac potential of extract and fractions of Vernonia amygdalina leaves utilizing physical and behavioral sexual parameters as well as in-vitro tests of the plant's effects on the corpus cavernosum muscles in male Wister rats. The powdered plant material was extracted with ethanol and the extract was subjected various solvent fractionation to obtain n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and residual aqueous fractions. After 2 weeks of acclimatization, oestrus was induced in the female rats by giving them 100mcg of ethinyl oestradiol orally and 1mg of progesterone subcutaneously, respectively, 24 hours and 3 hours before mating. The 35 male wister rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 5 animals each, while 10 female rats were also obtained for the study. Animals in group 1 received 0.5mL of distilled water and each animal in this group received 20% Tween 80 (0.5mL) and this served as the negative group. Animals in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 received 50 mg/kg of the ethanolic extract, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of V. amygdalina respectively in each group. Group 7 animals were given sildenafil 100mg/kg and served as the positive control. All administrations were done orally, and the physical parameters of aphrodisiac activity were measured. Also, the Corpus cavernosum smooth muscle was obtained from intact male rat and mounted in a 10 mL organ bath chamber containing Kreb's solution to evaluate the effects of the plant extract and fractions on the muscle. The direct effects of cumulative plant fractions concentrations were examined after tissue equilibration and response recording for 15 minutes without flushing. The plant fractions were utilized at doses of 0.78, 1.56, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/ml. In the presence of potassium, a pre-contractile agent, the identical process was done for the plant fractions. On a computer, the changes in isometric tension were monitored and noted. Following the administration of each concentration, a contact period of five minutes was permitted. The tissues were then cleansed three times and given 30 minutes to equilibrate before the next round of administration. The measurement of sexual behavior parameters, such as anogenital grooming, genital sniffing, mounting frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculatory frequency, mounting latency, intromission latency, and ejaculatory latency, showed a significant improvement in sexual activities. The plant fractions also generated a similar amount of relaxation of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle to that brought on by the reference medication. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that the ethyl acetate and aqueous fraction of V. amygdalina leaves have strong aphrodisiac qualities and can relax the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.