Abstract
Purpose: Various parts of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) are used in traditional systems of medicine. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of the crude aqueous extract and polyphenol enriched fractions of M. oleifera leaves at the flowering stage against microbial strains causing oral and wound infections. Methods: Polyphenol enriched fractions (hydroalcoholic extract, methanol fresh leaves extract, methanol dry leaves extract and decoction) were prepared using four different methods and total polyphenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts were determined. Crude aqueous extract and the fractions were tested against ATCC reference strains of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (oral pathogens) and Streptococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pyogenes (wound pathogens) using agar well diffusion method. Gentamycin and clotrimazole were used as the positive controls for bacteria and fungi respectively and distilled water was used as the negative control. Results: Methanol dry leaves extract demonstrated highest values of TPC (11.92 ±0.39 mg GAE/g) and TFC (41.68±0.82 mg QE/g). Each polyphenol fraction demonstrated antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus and S. pyogenes at concentrations of 500 - 1000 mg/ml. Hydro-alcoholic and methanol (fresh leaves) extracts demonstrated antifungal activity against C. albicans. The crude aqueous extract exhibited dose dependent antibacterial activity against S. aureus. All extracts demonstrated less antibacterial activity against S. pyogenes compared to S. aureus. Conclusion: Polyphenol rich fractions of M. oleifera leaves at the flowering stage possessed antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, S. pyogenes and C. albicans.
Highlights
Herbal medicines have high demand due to the problems associated with the synthetic medicines such as high cost, side-effects and inefficient access.[1]
Determination of the antimicrobial activity of crude aqueous extract and polyphenol enriched fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves at the flowering stage against microbial strains causing oral infections: The antimicrobial activity of the crude aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves and each polyphenol enriched fractions against microbial strains causing oral infections, was determined by the agar well diffusion method.[27]. Isolates of ATCC reference strains of E. coli (25922) and ATCC reference strains of C. albicans (10231) were obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Determination of the antimicrobial activity of the crude aqueous extract and polyphenol enriched fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves at the flowering stage against microbial strains causing wound infections: The antimicrobial activity of the crude aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves and each polyphenol enriched fractions against microbial strains causing wound infections, was determined by the agar well diffusion method.[29]. ATCC reference strains of S. aureus (25923) and S. pyogenes (19615) were obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Summary
Herbal medicines have high demand due to the problems associated with the synthetic medicines such as high cost, side-effects and inefficient access.[1]. Major bacterial species responsible for oral infections are Staphylococcus mutans, S. oralis, S. sanguinis and Escherichia coli. These organisms are known to cause gingivitis and periodontal diseases.[4]. Growth and persistence of infected bacteria on a wound is promoted by the polymicrobial biofilm formation.[7]. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites and exhibit a significant structural variability These compounds possess a wide range of biological activities including antimicrobial activity.[9]. M. oleifera is a fast-growing soft wood tree which can reach 12 m in height This plant can grow in tropical and sub-tropical regions in dry to moist climates. Flowers and fruits of M. oleifera originate twice a year.[12] This plant is indigenous to North India and is widely grown in South Eastern Asian countries like Thailand and Philippines.[11]
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