Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Potential of Combretum hispidum Leaf Extract on Clinical Bacterial Isolates

Abstract

Aim: Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global health threat that has intensified the search for novel therapeutic agents, particularly from natural sources. Combretum hispidum, a medicinal shrub widely used in West African ethnomedicine, has been traditionally employed in treating infections, fever, wounds, and gastrointestinal ailments. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, characterize the bioactive constituents, and assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of C. hispidum leaf extract. Methodology: Fresh leaves of C. hispidum were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, and extracted using ethanol via Soxhlet extraction. Phytochemical constituents were determined through standard qualitative and quantitative techniques. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against clinical and standard strains of Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Salmonella typhi, Citrobacter spp., and Shigella spp. using the disc diffusion method. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed alkaloids (37.14 ± 0.39 mg/100 g) as the most abundant compound, followed by flavonoids (19.73 ± 0.61 mg/100 g), phenols (14.36 ± 0.33 mg/100 g), and saponins (12.71 ± 0.16 mg/100 g), while glycosides (4.90 ± 0.09 mg/100 g) were least abundant. GC-MS analysis identified 23 bioactive compounds, with oleic acid being most prominent. The highest zone of inhibition was observed against Enterobacter spp. (7.58 ± 0.50 mm at 50% concentration) and Salmonella typhi (7.33 ± 0.45 mm at 50%). Conclusion: The study confirms that Combretum hispidum leaf extract contains diverse bioactive phytochemicals with measurable antimicrobial properties, supporting its ethnomedicinal relevance.