ABSTRACT:
Purpose – the leaves of Dichapetalum madascariense were claimed to have antimicrobial properties. The leaves were used to treat wounds, yaws, ulcers, running stomach, as well as fever in Ogidi in Idemili North Local government area of Anambra state, Nigeria. This investigation was carried out to ascertain the veracity of the claim. Methodology – The leaves was collected and dried at ambient temperature and pulverized. 200gm of the powdered drug was extracted with 400ml of water using the cold maceration technique for 24hours with occasional shaking. This was filtered and the process repeated using the marc. The combined filtrates were freeze dried using the freeze drying equipment to get the extract. The preliminary phytochemical tests were carried out using standard methods. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar dilution method. Result – the leaves of Dichapetalum madascariense exhibited antimicrobial property. Alkaloid, tannins, steroid, saponins, and glycosides were found. Conclusion – the claim on the use of Dichapetalum madascariense appears to be obvious in line with the results of the investigation.