In-vitro evaluation of the anti-bacterial properties of crude extracts of Dorstenia mannii (Moraceae)

Abstract

Bacterial resistance to classical antibiotics nowadays is becoming a health concern in Cameroon. Patients suffering from bacteria attack spend money to carry out laboratory tests for effective diagnosis, with very little positive results. This is due to the fact that most of our hospitals lack the up to date laboratory equipments, to detect the real antibiotic that will kill a particular bacterium. This has led to more patients spending a lot of money on bacterial infection treatment, and some even end up dying with the disease. It is on this basis that this work was designed to research the antibacterial properties of the extracts namely crude extract, hexane-acetate 25%, hexane-acetate 50%, hexaneacetate 75%, hexane, acetate and methanol of the leaves of Dorstenia mannii, a plant that is readily available from our natural environment at little or no cost. These extracts were tested on the following bacteria species namely; Gram-negative bacteria; Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica; Gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus sp. After some laboratory analysis using the antibiogramme sensitivity test, it was discovered that the extracts of the leaves of D. mannii were only sensitive on three of the eight bacteria used which were, E. coli, S. enterica and Klebsiella sp. The other five namely; P. aeruginosa, E. aerogenes, P. mirabilis, S. aureus and Bacillus sp, were resistant to the extract. The sensitivity level of the three bacteria, that showed positive response where however low. Therefore, more research has to be carried out using different concentrations of the leaves extract for a more conclusive result. This concentration could permit to appreciate the degree of sensitivity and also to see if other bacteria that have not manifested any sensitivity can show some positive response to the extracts. Also, different laboratory methods and more bacteria should be used to prove that the leaves of D. mannii have the potential as a promising antibacterial medicinal plant to either render bacteria inactive or kill them completely.

Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Two Cameroonian Herbal Plants of Genus <i>Triumfetta rhomboidea</i> and <i>Dorstenia elliptica</i> Using the MTT and Neutral Red Assays

“…For thousands of years, plants have been recognised to play a therapeutic role in curing diseases and infections, and currently, there is a wide range of herbal remedies available in health food shops and other outlets, which many people are using to treat numerous problems, despite the fact that most herbal and plant remedies have not been approved for use by the FDA [5]. It is now realised that the therapeutic effects of plant products are mainly due to the phytochemicals found in these plants, as many are known to have a pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interaction with certain drugs [1,6].…”

“…This plant is found mostly in the tropics. This plant had an important role to play in ancient medicinal therapy, and is still used in some parts of the world for its medicinal properties [5,13]. The most commonly used therapeutic parts of the plant include the flower, leaves, bark, root and fruit [14].…”