Authors : Abdulai Turay

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/rv8yn2ks

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may045

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : The rise in antibiotic-resistant pathogens poses a serious global health threat, necessitating the search for alternative therapies. This study investigates the antimicrobial potential and phytochemical constituents of Cassia siamea, a medicinal plant traditionally used across various cultures for its healing properties. Crude extracts from the leaves and stem bark were prepared using methanol and aqueous solvents, then tested for antimicrobial activity against three significant pathogens: Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, steroids, and phenols, with flavonoids and glycosides strongly present in both plant parts. Alkaloids, anthraquinones, and terpenoids were absent. Antimicrobial testing using the well diffusion method showed measurable zones of inhibition in all extracts, with aqueous leaf extract displaying the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus (15.00 mm). Conversely, methanolic stem bark extract demonstrated significant activity against Streptococcus pyogenes (14.00 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (16.00 mm), while aqueous stem bark extract showed minimal effect. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results corroborated these findings, with the lowest MIC values observed for aqueous leaf extract against S. aureus and S. typhi (2.5 mg/ml). The observed antimicrobial activity is likely due to the synergistic effects of bioactive compounds, which may disrupt microbial cell membranes or inhibit critical metabolic functions. This research affirms the therapeutic potential of Cassia siamea and highlights its promise as a source of novel antimicrobial agents, particularly in regions with limited access to conventional pharmaceuticals. The findings support further investigation and possible development of phytomedicine based on this species.

Keywords : Cassia Siamea, Phytochemicals, Antimicrobial Activity, Medicinal Plants, Antibiotic Resistance, MIC.

References :

1. Abdisa, Z., & Kenea, F. (2020). Phytochemical screening, antibacterial and antioxidant activity studies on the crude root extract of Clematis hirsuta. Cogent Chemistry, 6(1), 1862389. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312009.2020.1862389
2. Al-Adhroey, A. H., Nor, Z. M., Al-Mekhlafi, H. M., & Mahmud, R. (2010). Ethnobotanical study on some Malaysian anti-malarial plants: A community based survey. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 132(1), 362–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.08.006
3. Allabi, A. C., Busia, K., Ekanmian, V., & Bakiono, F. (2011). The use of medicinal plants in self- care in the Agonlin region of Benin. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 133(1), 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.09.028
4. Asase, A., Akwetey, G. A., & Achel, D. G. (2010). Ethnopharmacological use of herbal remedies for the treatment of malaria in the Dangme West District of Ghana. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 129(3), 367–376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.04.001
5. Bukar, A., Mukhtar, M., & Hassan, A. (2009). Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of Senna siamea (LAM) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 2(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.4314/bajopas.v2i1.58528
6. Determination of barakol extracted from Cassia siamea by HPLC with electrochemical detection—PubMed. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11377068/
7. dokumen.tips | 522: Connection timed out. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://dokumen.tips/documents/11-ethnomedicinal-plants-popularly-used-in-11-ethnomedicinal- plants-popularly.html
8. Doughari, J. H., Human, I. S., Benade, A. S., & Ndakidemi, P. A. (2009). Phytochemicals as chemotherapeutic agents and antioxidants: Possible solution to the control of antibiotic resistant verocytotoxin producing bacteria. http://digitalknowledge.cput.ac.za/handle/11189/2637
9. Ethnobotanical study on some Malaysian anti-malarial plants: A community based survey— PubMed. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20723596/
10. Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)— PubMed. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26799652/
11. In Vitro Anti-Listerial Activities of Crude n-Hexane and Aqueous Extracts of Garcinia kola (heckel) Seeds—PMC. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3211020/
12. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://ijrap.net/index.php/admin/searcharticle
13. Kamatenesi, M. M., Acipa, A., & Oryem-Origa, H. (2011a). Medicinal plants of Otwal and Ngai Sub Counties in Oyam district, Northern Uganda. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 7,
14. 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-7-7
15. Kamatenesi, M. M., Acipa, A., & Oryem-Origa, H. (2011b). Medicinal plants of Otwal and Ngai Sub Counties in Oyam district, Northern Uganda. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 7,
16. 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-7-7
17. Kenyan medicinal plants used as antivenin: A comparison of plant usage | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine | Full Text. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://ethnobiomed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1746-4269-2-7
18. Kolawole, O. S. O., A, J., & Nwosu, M. (2010). Pharmacological Basis for the Continual Use of the Root of Senna Siamea in Traditional Medicine. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences, Volume 1 Issue 3. http://ijpbs.net/abstract.php?article=429
19. Koudouvo, K., Karou, D. S., Kokou, K., Essien, K., Aklikokou, K., Glitho, I. A., Simpore, J., Sanogo, R., De Souza, C., & Gbeassor, M. (2011). An ethnobotanical study of antimalarial plants in Togo Maritime Region. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 134(1), 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.12.011
20. Kulkarni, A., & Koka, P. S. (n.d.). Phytochemical analysis of Cassia fistula and its in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
21. Lemaire, P. A., & Adosraku, R. K. (2002). An HPLC method for the direct assay of the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytrophan, in seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Phytochemical Analysis, 13(6), 333–337. https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.659
22. Mbatchi, S. F., Mbatchi, B., Banzouzi, J. T., Bansimba, T., Nsonde Ntandou, G. F., Ouamba, J.- M., Berry, A., & Benoit-Vical, F. (2006a). In vitro antiplasmodial activity of 18 plants used in Congo Brazzaville traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 104(1–2), 168–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.08.068
23. Mbatchi, S. F., Mbatchi, B., Banzouzi, J. T., Bansimba, T., Nsonde Ntandou, G. F., Ouamba, J.- M., Berry, A., & Benoit-Vical, F. (2006b). In vitro antiplasmodial activity of 18 plants used in Congo Brazzaville traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 104(1–2), 168–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.08.068
24. Nadembega, P., Boussim, J. I., Nikiema, J. B., Poli, F., & Antognoni, F. (2011). Medicinal plants in Baskoure, Kourittenga Province, Burkina Faso: An ethnobotanical study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 133(2), 378–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.10.010
25. Ncube, N. S., Afolayan, A. J., & Okoh, A. I. (2008). Assessment techniques of antimicrobial properties of natural compounds of plant origin: Current methods and future trends. African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(12), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB07.613
26. Odugbemi, T. O., Akinsulire, O. R., Aibinu, I. E., & Fabeku, P. O. (2006). Medicinal plants useful for malaria therapy in Okeigbo, Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines: AJTCAM, 4(2), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v4i2.31207
27. Oo, O. (n.d.). Phytochemical screening, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial activities of Senna occidentalis (L.) leaves. International Journal of Herbal Medicine.
28. (PDF) Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of Senna obtusifolia (L). (n.d.). ResearchGate. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288274061_Antimicrobial_activity_of_leaf_extracts_o f_Senna_obtusifolia_L
29. (PDF) Ethnoveterinary practices in the control of helminthosis and ticks of livestock amongst pastoralists in Karamoja region, Uganda. (n.d.). ResearchGate. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282311835_Ethnoveterinary_practices_in_the_control
30. _of_helminthosis_and_ticks_of_livestock_amongst_pastoralists_in_Karamoja_region_Uganda
31. Plant resources of South-East Asia (with Internet Archive). (1990). Bogor : ESCAP CGPRT Centre. http://archive.org/details/plantresourcesof0000unse_s4p7
32. Sahni, K. C. (1998). The book of Indian trees. Bombay Natural History Society.
33. Sati, S., Sati, N., Rawat, U., & Sati, O. P. (2010). Medicinal Plants as a Source of Antioxidants. Research              Journal              of                                                    Phytochemistry,        4(4),                213–224. https://doi.org/10.17311/rjphyto.2010.213.224
34. Sibanda, T., & . A. I. O. (2007). In vitro Antibacterial Regimes of Crude Aqueous and Acetone Extracts of Garcinia kola Seeds. Journal of Biological Sciences, 8(1), 149–154. https://doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2008.149.154
35. Su, P., Pei, W., Wang, X., Ma, Y., Jiang, Q., Liang, J., Zhou, S., Zhao, J., Liu, J., & Lu, G. Q. M. (2021). Exceptional Electrochemical HER Performance with Enhanced Electron Transfer between Ru Nanoparticles and Single Atoms Dispersed on a Carbon Substrate. Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English), 60(29), 16044–16050. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202103557
36. The use of medicinal plants in self-care in the Agonlin region of Benin—PubMed. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20932887/
37. TREES COMMONLY CULTIVATED IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2025,
38. from https://www.fao.org/4/AC775E/AC775E00.htm
39. Umer, S., Tekewe, A., & Kebede, N. (2013). Antidiarrhoeal and antimicrobial activity of Calpurnia aurea leaf extract. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-21
40. Vijayaram, S., Kannan, S., Saravanan, K. M., Vasantharaj, S., Sathiyavimal, S., & P, P. S. (2016). Preliminary phytochemical screening, Antibacterial potential and GC-MS analysis of two medicinal plant extracts. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 29(3), 819–822.
41. Vol. 7 No. 20 (2008) | African Journal of Biotechnology. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/issue/view/7636
42. Zambian Plants used as Traditional Fever Cures | The Kew Shop. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://shop.kew.org/zambian-plants-used-as-traditional-fever-cures