PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE STEM BARK OF Mitragyna inermis

Abstract

Mitragynainermis is a tree species in the Rubiaceae family that is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat malaria. The plant's extract was obtained by macerating the powdered leaves in methanol. The extracts of the stem of Mitragynainermis were investigated for phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, and acute toxicity. The results show the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycoside, anthraquinone, tannins, and saponins, and the extract was also found to be effective against the clinical isolates: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. However, the extracts showed strong radical scavenging activity against DPPH for all three extracts. The LD50 of 158 mg/kg was calculated for the extracts, and the values were found to be within the practically slightly toxic range, so care should be taken when using the plants in traditional medicine healing.