ALCHORNEA CORDIFOLIA: A HERB WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR PHYTOTHERAPY AGAINST CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI, PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

The antibacterial activity of the extracts of the leaves and stem pith of Alchornea cordifolia were tested against three bacterial isolates. The bacteria isolates used were Clostridiumtetani, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Juice from the stem pith of A. cordifolia showed the highest antibacterial activity against all the test organisms.  S. aureus was most susceptible with a zone of inhibition (42.5±1.0 mm) higher than the control, gentamycin (41± 1.0 mm). All the isolates were susceptible to the leaf extract at a concentration of 575.0 mg/ml. However, the MICs were 143.7, 718.0 and 718.0 mg/ml for C. tetani, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, saponins and steroids in all the extracts tested. Phlobatannins were detected only in the fresh juice of the leaves. The results of this study show that extracts of this plant may be used for the treatment and management of wound infections caused by these test organisms.