Abstract
The main aim of the study was to determine the antimicrobial effect of methanolic leaf extract of Aloe secundiflora against four Gram-negative bacteria (Shigella flexineri, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis), one Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and on one fungal pathogen (Candida albicans) by Kirby Bauer method. The extract was found to be more effective against all the bacterial pathogens and Candida albicans using ciprofloxacin as the standard antibiotic for Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, Vancomycin for Staphylococcus aureus and Fluconazole for Candida albicans with an MIC range of 3-11 mg/ml. the preliminary analysis for the extracts confirmed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. Our study revealed that, the extract from Aloe secundiflora leaf can be used in treating the diseases caused by the bacterial pathogens.
Highlights
In this study the antimicrobial activity of Aloe secundiflora leaf was evaluated for antimicrobial activity against the selected human pathogens
Methanol was used in the extraction process and the antimicrobial activity determined using the Kirby Bauer method
The results indicate that the extract from Aloe secundiflora was active against all the tested microorganisms
Summary
Medicinal plants are used by almost 80% of the world’s population for their basic health care because of their low cost and ease in availability [1]. From the dawn of civilization, people have developed great interest in plant based drugs and pharmaceutical products [1]. Herbal drugs made from medicinal plants have been used from ancient times to treat various diseases and their antimicrobial properties make them a rich source of many potent drugs [3]. Some medicinal plants have been used in production of various drugs singly or in combination and even as principal raw material for the production of other conventional medicines [2]. Antifungal, anticancer, antiviral and immunomodulatory properties [6]. Aloe secundiflora leaf components have been credited for antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral and antihelmintic medicinal properties [7]. Aloe secundiflora has been used in treating ailments including; chest problems, polio, malaria and stomach ache by herbalists in the Lake Victoria region in Kenya [8]
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