TY  - JOUR
T1  - Anti-Microbial and Phyto-Chemical Properties of Crude Extracts of<I> Garcinia kola </I>Heckel Stems Used for Oral Health
AU - Antwi-Boasiako, C. AU - Abubakari, A. 
JO  - Research Journal of Pharmacology
VL  - 5
IS  - 5
SP  - 68
EP  - 76
PY  - 2011
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-9362
DO  - rjpharm.2011.68.76
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjpharm.2011.68.76
KW  - Agar-well diffusion
KW  -activity index
KW  -anti-bacteria
KW  -Bacillus subtilis
KW  -dental hygiene
KW  -secondary metabolite
KW  -wood extract
AB  - <I>Garcinia kola</I> Heckel is conventionally used for oral cleanliness. Anti-bacterial properties of aqueous extracts from its stem-wood and bark were investigated against <I> Bacillus subtilis </I> and <I> Escherichia coli </I>(gram +ve and -ve bacteria, respectively) using Agar-diffusion assay and measured in mean&plusmn;standard deviation. Notable toothpaste (Pepsodent) was the standard/positive control. Its Inhibition Zone (IZ) against each isolate was compared with those of the extracts and sterile distilled water and the Activity Indices (AI) for each extract established. Phyto-chemical composition of the extracts was also determined. The extracts showed considerable inhibitory activities against the isolates. Their inhibition zones (4.50-10.50 mm) compare well with that for the standard against <I>E. coli </I>(3.00 mm) and <I>B. subtilis </I>(16.50 mm). Inhibition zone (6.00-10.50 mm) and activity index (0.36-0.64) for <I> B. subtilis </I> show it is more susceptible than <I> E. coli </I> (IZ = 0.00-7.50 mm; AI = 0.00-2.50). Stem-position influenced its anti-bacterial characteristics; the bark was more effective and exhibited greater IZ range (4.50-10.50 mm) with AI (0.64-2.00) than the wood (IZ = 0-7.50 mm; AI = 0.00-2.50).<I> B. subtilis w</I>as more susceptible and showed less resistance to the extracts (AI = 0.36-0.64) than <I>E. coli</I> (AI = 0.00-2.00) which exhibited significant antibacterial activity. Phyto-chemical screening revealed <I>G. kola</I> contains saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids which also indicate its anti-microbial and therapeutic capabilities. This supports folkloric claim that its chewing-sticks are an effective tool for oral cleanliness alongside conventional toothpastes; their purified extracts could be employed in pharmaceutical formulations.
ER  -