Phytochemical Study and Antifungal Activity of Stem Extracts of Phyllanthus niruri (L)

Abstract

Over the years, botanical remedies have served as an important source of
treatment of diseases to many people worldwide, especially in developing
countries. Nigeria has a vast range of medicinal plants with possible therapeutic
activities that remain unexplored. Therefore, this study determined the
phytochemical constituents and evaluated the antifungal activity of the extract of
the stem of Phyllanthus niruri, which is a common plant used in Sokoto State,
Nigeria to treat different ailments. The phytochemical test revealed the presence
of saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycocides, tannins and flavonoids. The antifungal
activity test showed that the n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of the plant stem
exhibited activity against tested organisms only at high concentrations (≥20
mg/mL) whereas the methanol extract inhibited the growth of all the tested fungal
isolates at all concentrations. The GC-MS analysis of the methanol extract
revealed the presence of thirteen compounds. The presence of these compounds
in the extract may be responsible for the activity demonstrated by the extract.