Phytochemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial activity of Anogeissus leiocarpus on some common oral pathogens

An assessment of phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of root and stem of A. leiocarpus against clinical isolates of Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus saprophyticus was carried out. Saponins, tannins and alkaloids were highly concentrated in the stem and root, with the later containing a significantly higher (P 0.05) on the inhibition of C. albicans while the length of incubation period had a significant effect (P<0.05) on its inhibition. The inhibitory effect produced by the ethanol extract of the root and stem on S. saprophyticus and S. mutans was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the effect produced by aqueous extract. On a general note, root extracts exhibited significant inhibition (P<0.05) compared to stem extracts. Results from this study strongly indicates that A. leiocarpus is a potential candidate plant whose extract could be incorporated into dentifrice.