Abstract

Jatropha curcas is an ornamental plant which is also employed to cure various infections in traditional medicine. The hexane, ethanolic and aqueous extracts and latex of this plant were analysed phytochemically and screened against different microorganisms responsible for various human infections. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts and latex revealed the presence of many secondary metabolites including steroids, alkaloids and saponins. Ethanolic extract was found to be richer than hexane extract and aqueous extract as well as latex. The extracts and latex displayed potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoea, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus flavus, giving minimum inhibitory concentration as low as 0.5 mL. The results confirmed the potency of this plant in treating human infections including sexually transmitted diseases.

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