Molecular potentials of Chikadoma as a bacteriocidal agent

For the purpose of avoiding the emergence of untreatable bacterial infections, the search for novel antimicrobial agents from plant sources to combat pathogens has become crucial. This paper reviews the molecular potentials of Chikadoma as a bacteriocidal agent. The documented phytochemical investigations of this versatile medicinal shrub widely cultivated in Nigeria essentially as anornamental plant, have revealed the isolation of pharmacologically active components including stigmastene 3,6-dione, tetrahydroxy flavones-3α- rhamnoside, ursolic acid, and ellagic acid which is phenolic acid. Previous studies indicate that Chikadoma possessesvarieties of pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antiemetic, antipyretic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review becomes pertinent as reports have shown that currently despite one-quarter to one-half of pharmaceuticals in the United States of America originating from higher-plants, very few are used as antimicrobials, relying more on bacterial and fungal sources, stating bluntly that since the advent of antibiotics in the 1950s, there has been virtually nonexistence of the use of plant derivativesas antimicrobials; hence the need to explore the potentials of Chikadoma as bacteriocidal agent