Antibacterial activity and qualitative phytochemical analysis of Vitex mollis fruit

The pulp of the Vitex mollis fruit is edible and traditionally used to treat diarrhoea. The antibacterial activity of this fruit is reported here for the first time. The fruit pulp was extracted with methanol (ME) and the extract was fractionated with solvents. ME and their fractions [hexanic (HF), chloroformic (CF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and aqueous (AqF)] were assayed against human pathogenic bacteria (microdilution test) and their phytochemicals determined (qualitative chemical determinations). The samples (i.e., ME, HE, CF, EAF and AqF) showed antibacterial activity; EAF was the most active, showing such activity against Shigella dysenteriae [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)=2 mg/ml]. Phenolics were mainly found in ME and EAF; compounds of this chemical family are well known for their antidiarrhoeal and antimicrobial activities. The reported antibacterial activity and phenolics content of V. mollis fruit could be associated with its use in the treatment of diarrhoea.