Abstract

The use of medicinal plants as raw materials in the production of drugs is again gaining popularity. Hibiscus sabdariffa is widely taken in the South-western part of Nigeria for the treatment of various diseases. Aqueous-methanolic extract of H. sabdariffa was investigated for its phytochemical con-stituents, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity using brine shrimps lethality assay. The extract was found to contain cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins andalkaloids. It exhibited antibacterial activities (MIC 0.30 ± 0.2- 1.30 ± 0.2 mg/ml) againstStaphylococcus aureus, Bacillus stearothermo-philus, Micrococcus luteus, Serratia mascences, Clostridium sporogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas fluorescence. It was also found to be potent against brine shrimps with LC₅₀   value of 55.1 ppm. The present results support the use of this plant in the treatment of diseases like abscesses, bilious conditions, cancer and coughs in traditional medicine and also suggest the possibility of isolating antibacterial and anticancer agents from Hibiscus sabdariffa.

Key words: Hibiscus sabdariffa; antimicrobial activity; brine shrimps lethality assay