Phytochemical Screening of Wellawel (Chromolaena odorata) Leaf Extract

Abstract

The study was conducted to perform phytochemical screening and antimicrobial assay in order to determine the coagulating effects of wellawel (Chromolaena odorata) leaves. This study made use of the experimental research design in an actual laboratory set-up. There were four phases in the experimental study. Phase 1 included the preparation of the plant sample and extraction using distilled water and ethyl alcohol, Phase 2 was the phytochemical screening to determine the presence of alkaloids, quaternary bases or amine oxides, saponins, freefatty acids, cardiac glycosides, leucoanthocyains, flavonoids, tannins, fats and oils and anthraquinones in the leaf extract, Phase 3 was the antimicrobial assay to determine the zones of growth inhibition produced by the wellawel leaf extract to test organisms and Phase 4 was the determination of the coagulating effects on the wellawel leaf against Swiss mice. Findings showed that wellawel (Chromolaena odorata) leaf extract contains alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, luecoanthocyanins, flavonoids, and tannins. Wellawel leaf extract has weak antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli; it has no anti-fungal activity on Candida alhicans. The crude and aqueous extracts have the ability to shorten the coagulation time of blood on wounds inflicted on Swiss mice. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were drawn: a follow up study should be conducted to quantify, isolate, and identify the type of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, leucoanthocyanins, flavonoids and tannins present in the leaves of wellawel. Other pharmacologic testings should be done using the wellawel leaves like tests for its analgesic property, antispasmodic, antihypertensive, and antihelminthic properties.