Abstract
The main aim of the study was to test for the antimicrobial potency of Aloe secundiflora, Bulbine frutescens, Tagetes minuta and Vernonia lasiopus against Staphylococcus aureus. All the plants showed a pronounced antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with Tagetes minuta being the most active at low concentrations (MIC 8.9 mg/ml; MBC 10.0 mg/ml) whereas Vernonia lasiopus showing less activity (MIC 12.2 mg/ml; MBC 14.2 mg/ml). The efficacy test was carried out using the disc diffusion method. The standard antibiotics used were ciprofloxacin (5 μg/ml) and vancomycin (3 μg/ml) showed significant antimicrobial activity by producing zones of inhibition of 22 mm and 25 mm respectively. Dimethyl sulphoxide and distilled water were used as negative control. The extracts from the plants were also screened for the presence of phytochemicals with the results showing the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins in all the extracts. The study suggested that the selected medicinal plants can be used effectively in the treatment of bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Highlights
In the past few decades, pharmacological companies have been developing new antimicrobial agents but microbial resistance has been increasing due to the ability of bacterial organisms acquiring resistant genes [1]
The methanolic leaf extracts from Tagetes minuta, Aloe secundiflora, Bulbine frutescens and Vernonia lasiopus all showed a significant antimicrobial activity when tested against the clinical isolate of Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus
The extract from Tagetes minuta was more active against Staphylococcus aureus as compared to others producing the highest average zone of inhibition produced from six replicates (17 ± 1.94 mm)
Summary
In the past few decades, pharmacological companies have been developing new antimicrobial agents but microbial resistance has been increasing due to the ability of bacterial organisms acquiring resistant genes [1]. Herbal drugs have been used since ancient times to treat diseases and disorders with their antimicrobial properties making them a potent source of new drugs. The plant extracts from the plants part such as leaves and flowers have been used in treating intestinal and stomach problems [6,7,8]. Aloe secundiflora leaf components have been credited for antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral and antihelmintic medicinal properties [9]. Aloe secundiflora has been used in treating ailments including; chest problems, polio, malaria and stomach ache by herbalists in the Lake Victoria region [10]. Vernonia lasiopus decoctions from the stems and leaves have been traditionally been used by herbalists in East Africa to treat, malaria, worms and gastrointestinal problems [16]. The antimicrobial activity of the medicinal plants extracts against Staphylococcus aureus is tested and preliminary screening of the phytochemicals present in each plant
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