Standardization and Antimicrobial Activity of Watery Fluid at Floral Base of Spathodea campanulata (Pal)

Traditionally seeds, bark, leaves of Spathodea campanulata Pal are used as laxative and antiseptic. Bark is also used for swollen cheeks and cleaning newly born babies. Molluscicidal, antioxidant and anti malarial activities of bark are reported. Central wood is toxic and used for hunting wild animals by Uganda tribes. Flower base contains watery fluid and no scientific data available on this fluid hence the present work was undertaken to evaluate the watery fluid and its medicinal properties.

Fresh flowers were collected locally early in the morning then punctured at base with pointed needle and fluid was collected in cleaned screw cap bottles. The collected fluid was then subjected for stability studies. Fluid was analyzed for viscosity, density, pH, florescent analysis and total solid content using standard official methods. Mineral content was determined by acid digestion method using atomic absorption. Watery fluid was studied for secondary metabolites by TLC studies. Antimicrobial activity was performed by cup plate method against selected strains of bacteria and fungi. The watery fluid was found stable up to 48h and six months in atmospheric condition and at refrigeration respectively. The viscosity, density and pH were found to be 0.8645cp, 0.9426g/ml and 6.4 respectively. Undiluted fluid has shown milky, greenish and yellowish green fluorescence at short, long and day wavelengths respectively. Total dissolved solids were found to be 3.15% w/v and sedimentation time was 2h. Mineral contents found were Ca, Mg, Fe, Cr, Zn, Mn, Ni. TLC studies showed presence of steroids with blue fluorescence at R_f 0.9, and 0.7. Dried residue has showed good antibacterial activity against all the tested organisms but had shown weak antifungal activity.