Phytochemical screening and cytotoxic effects of Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst (Ebenaceae) root bark extract using Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) Test

Diospyros mespiliformis belongs to the family Ebeneceae and is used in traditional medicine as an antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory agent. This research aims to screen for the phytoconstituents and ascertain the lethal concentration (LC50) of the root bark extracts of Diospyros mespiliformis. The pulverized sample was extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water in order of increasing polarities with 1.41, 1.44, 8.14 and 4.33 percentage yields obtained respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, steroids/triterpenoids, anthraquinones, alkaloids and cardenolides. The LC50 of the extracts was found to be greater than 1000 µg/cm3 suggesting that the extracts contain potent bioactive compounds.