Toxicological Screening of the Ethanol Root Bark Extracts of Two Anthocleista Species

Anthocleista vogelli and Anthocleista nobilis are trees whose parts are used traditionally for the treatment and management of diseases in Africa. Also there is a need for herbicides from natural sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the root bark of A. vogelli and A.nobilis against various biological organisms in order to evaluate their toxic potential. The phytotoxic potential was explored using Lemna minor. The activity against some insects was evaluated. Antibacterial bioassay was conducted using the agar well diffusion method. Toxicity against Artemia salina and Leishmania major was also evaluated. The results showed that the ethanol root bark extracts of A. vogelli and A.nobilis had low activity against some bacterial pathogens but no insecticidal and cytotoxic activities. The A. vogelli root bark extract had phytotoxic potential in a dose-dependent manner while that of A.nobilis enhanced the proliferation of Lemna minor. A.nobilis root bark extract had antileishmanial property but A.vogelli root bark extract had none. Thus, the root bark of A. vogelli can be explored as a source of compounds useful in weed control and management in agriculture while that of A.nobilis may be a target of drug discovery for the treatment of leishmania.