In vitro Insights into Prospect of Cnestis ferruginea Pulp Extract as an Antimicrobial Agent

Lawrence Ajala,Adebayo Adeleke,Olayemi Ogunlowo,Stella Ezem,Oladejo Ogunlowo,Mathew Okafor

doi:10.51152/jbarbiomed.v7i1.214

Abstract

Sensitivity study of Cnestis ferruginea pulp extract with respect to the reference commercial antibiotics was tested against four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and three fungi (Trichoderum rubrum, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans) strains isolated in man with a view to elucidating the inhibitory potency of the plant pulp’ extract using an agar well diffusion assay. The investigation discovered that the extract had 71% inhibitory activities against the microbial isolates tested either in sterilized or non-sterilized form and in the two different concentrations examined, which compared favourably with reference antibiotics used. The optimal performance of the pulp extract against the test organisms could be due to the presence of the metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, and polyphenols found in ample form in the extract. This study has revealed the possible utilization of Cnestis ferrugineain the treatment of wound, urinary infections and in the management of oral-related infections.

Highlights

Herbal medicines have been widely used and form an integral part of primary health care of many countries (Nair et al, 2005; Jaafreh et al, 2019)
The pulp extract of this medicinal plant demonstrated inhibitory activity against three bacterial isolates (S. aureus, B. subtilis and P. mirabilis)as verified by the in vitro experiments. This is an indication that C. ferrugineacould be possibly used as an alternative herbal medicine for the treatment of wound and urinary infections
The further inhibitory efficacy of the extract against tested fungi (C. albicans and A. niger) signifies that it could be used in the management of oral-related infections

Summary

Introduction

Herbal medicines have been widely used and form an integral part of primary health care of many countries (Nair et al, 2005; Jaafreh et al, 2019). The health benefits of medicinal plants are attributed in parts, to their unique phytochemical compositions (Okwe and Iroabuchi, 2009; Pulipati et al, 2016; Oyeleke et al, 2021) and these secondary metabolites are known to confer protective properties on plants and by and large, have made significant contribution in maintaining human health (Oluwafemi and Debiri, 2008; Igwe, 2007; Jaafreh et al, 2019) and protect humans against diseases (Ohaeri, 2005; Oyeleke et al, 2021) Among these plants of therapeuticand health benefits is Cnestis ferruginea (Fig. 1). The ovoid follicles are 1-5 in fruit, often united at base and contains one seed each (Garon et al, 2007; Atere and Ajao, 2009)

Methods

Results

Conclusion