In vitro antimicrobial activity of plants used in traditional medicine in Gurage and Silti Zones, south central Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundTo overcome the escalating problems associated with infectious diseases and drug resistance, discovery of new antimicrobials is crucial. The present study aimed to carry out in vitro antimicrobial analysis of 15 medicinal plant species selected according to their traditional medicinal uses in Gurage and Silti Zones, south central Ethiopia.MethodsEthanol extracts of various plant parts were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against 20 bacterial and one yeast strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution method.ResultsAsparagus africanus, Guizotia schimperi, Lippia adoensis var. adoensis and Premna schimperi were active against Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 512 μg/ml or lower. Strong antibacterial activity (MIC ≥ 128 μg/ml) was observed for G. schimperi extract against 17 resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus strains, at a concentration comparable to standard antibiotics. Moreover, this extract showed higher antibacterial activity for the test against S. aureus ATCC 33591, ATCC 33592, SA3 and SA5 strains (128–256 μg/ml) than oxacillin (512 μg/ml).ConclusionsThe study revealed in vitro antibacterial activity of plants used in folk medicine in south central Ethiopia. The usefulness of these plants, in particular of G. schimperi, should be confirmed through further phytochemical and toxicity analyses.

In vitro antibacterial activity of traditionally used medicinal plants against Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum in Ethiopia

“…The findings of Teka et al (2015) and Lulekal et al (2013) corroborate the results of the present study. In this regard, extracts of B. abyssinica, O. rochetiana (Lulekal et al 2013;Teka et al (2015) and S. incanum (Teka et al 2015) have shown low or no antibacterial activity, higher MIC and MBC values.…”

“…The findings of Teka et al (2015) and Lulekal et al (2013) corroborate the results of the present study. In this regard, extracts of B. abyssinica, O. rochetiana (Lulekal et al 2013;Teka et al (2015) and S. incanum (Teka et al 2015) have shown low or no antibacterial activity, higher MIC and MBC values. Only extracts of E. citriodora, L. crispata, P. vogelii and R. communis had antibacterial activity at this test concentration, of which extract of R. communis showed the highest antibacterial activity followed by E. citriodora, indicating the higher potency of the two species against Xcm.…”

Antimicrobial and anti-Quorum Sensing activities of selected medicinal plants of Ethiopia: Implication for development of potent antimicrobial agents

“…Thus, detection of plants with potent activity against pathogenic microorganisms in the current study as supported by earlier reports from Ethiopia [ 17 , 19 – 22 ] further strengthen the feasibility of looking for an alternative approach to manage drug resistant microbes. As stressed by many scholars, using effective plant extracts to control human diseases has the additional advantage of low production costs, minimal environmental damage and higher accessibility to rural communities [ 23 , 51 ].…”

“…Although numerous studies have been undertaken, and have revealed the antimicrobial potential of traditional medicinal plants being used in various parts of Ethiopia [ 17 – 23 ], the effects of those plant extracts on bacterial cell-cell communication were not evaluated so far. Many bacteria are thought to utilize chemical signaling systems to control cellular behaviors in response to local bacterial population density for effective colonization and manipulation of host organisms, such as in disease and symbiosis [ 12 ].…”

Antimicrobial activity of Annona crassiflora Mart. against Candida albicans

“…In the present study, the action of plant extract as an antimicrobial agent against C. albicans was evaluated. A previous work has demonstrated its antimicrobial activity against microorganisms, bacteria and yeast (Van, 2008;Lulekal et al, 2014;Teka et al, 2015). The antimicrobial activity of the compounds isolated from the plant extract was also studied aiming to obtain active ingredients to be used in endodontic infections therapy.…”