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Abstract
Borreria spp. (Rubiaceae) are common weeds found in tropical regions. B. princeae found growing in East Africa is used in the treatment of skin diseases (Kokwaro 1976). B. verticillata (L.) G. F. W. Meyer, a West African species mainly found in the wet season, is used as an antieczematic in parts of Nigeria. The juice obtained from the aerial parts is applied topically. Previous work on this species has led to the identification of the alkaloid emetine (Trease et al., 1972).
The volatile oil of Borreria verticillata Linn, is obtained by distillation of the non-polar extractive under a nitrogen atmosphere. The oil is shown to inhibit the growth of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Sesquiterpenes are shown to be implicated in this inhibitory effect.