Abstract

The phytochemical screening of the methanolic and dichloromethane extracts of Vebena hastata showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides but these were absent in the n-hexane extract. The methanolic extract exhibited antimicrobial activity againstSalmonella typii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.3 ± 0.1 mg/ml) was inactive againstProteus mirabilis, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli. It was also inactive against Candida albicans which implies that it cannot be used for the treatment of fungal infections. It was potent against brine shrimps with LD₅₀ value of 55.7 ppm which indicates that the extract has the ability to exert a wide range of pharmacological effects. These results support the use of the leaves in the treatment of ailments such as bronchial infections.

Key words: Verbena hastate, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, brine shrimps lethality.