The antibacterial activity of <i>Clausena anisata</i> hook, a South African medicinal plant

Abstract

Background: Clausena anisata Hook also known as Iperepesi in Xhosa language is a medicinal plant used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments and some opportunistic infections associated with tuberculosis (TB). Patients in South Africa based on the phytotherapeutic information on this species in the Eastern Cape, use this medicinal plant. Hence, the antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts of the leaves and barks were respectively, evaluated using selected bacterial strains. Method: The leaves and stem bark were tested against 10 selected strains of Gram -positive and Gram -negative bacteria through the agar dilution method. Acetone, dichloromethane and water extracts were used for the extraction. MIC was determined at different concentrations (0.1mg/ml, 0.5mg/ml, 1mg/ml and 5mg/ml) and the results obtained were compared to that of standard antibiotics. Result: The acetone extract of the leaves were more active against both Gram-positive and Gram -negative bacteria with MIC ranging from 0.1 mg/ml -0.5 mg / ml. The dichloromethane extract of the bark showed appreciable activities against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) (MIC: 0.1mg /ml) Escherichia coli and, Streptococcus pyogenes with an MIC of 5mg/ml respectively. On the other hand, the aqueous extract of the leaves showed no activity against the tested organisms with the exception of the aqueous bark extract which inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 0.5mg/ml) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC: 5mg/ml). Conclusion: This study confirmed the antibacterial activities of acetone extract of the leaves of Clausena anisata. The capability of this extract to inhibit both Gram positive and negative bacteria is an indication that the extract is a potential broad spectrum antibacterial. The result of this study further justified its indigenous use for the treatment of bacteria commonly associated with TB especially among the people of Nkonkobe Municipality.

Invitro Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Selected Ethno-Medicinal Plants from West Shewa Zone

“…However, Phytosterols were found only in S. incanum extracts. Previous studies indicated that the avonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins and phenolics were positively tested in the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum L (38), leaves of Withania sominifera (39), roots of Rumex nepelensis (40), leaves of Carica papaya (41) and stem of Clausena ansita (42); which is similar to our result demonstrating the presence of avonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins and phenolics. The presences of those phytochemicals in different extracts were an indication of that extracts have antibacterial activity and can be used as alternative medicine.…”

The effect of polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis on other opportunistic organisms of humans infected with tuberculosis

“…The bacteria and fungi used in this study were chosen primarily on the basis of their importance as opportunistic pathogens of humans infected with TB. [ 12 22 24 ] Strains from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) were used for both assays. The bacteria used include four Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, namely, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus cereus ATCC 10702, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Streptococcus pyogenes , Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 100031, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, and Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311.…”

“…[ 12 18 20 ] Several researchers have investigated the antibacterial and antifungal activity of medicinal plants used for the treatment of TB in the province. [ 21 22 ] However, no study has been reported on the antimicrobial effect of polyherbal remedies used for the treatment of TB. Since opportunistic bacterial and fungal pathogens tend to cause diseases in TB patients, the study was, therefore, aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial effect of polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of TB in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, in other to determine whether they could also serve as antibacterial and antifungal agents.…”

Nigerian polyherbal-based hydrotherapy: a panacea to infectious diseases

“…Herbal medicine, which involves the use of various plant extracts, serves as an alternative therapy. The folkloric use of many plants is highly valued, including Clausena anisata leaves for the treatment of respiratory tract infections and other bacterial diseases [40], Enantia chlorantha bark for antiviral effects [81,82], Citrus aurantifolia fruit for the management of cardiovascular system conditions [94,95], Azadirachta indica oil for anti-stimulant effect [103], Blighia sapida leaves for the treatment of diarrhoea and cutaneous infection [111], among a great many others. As it was reported by Ahmad et al [41] and Panda et al [110], there is a growing trend in the production of herbal formulations obtained from medicinal plants and minerals for the treatment of different ailments in many countries due to their acceptability as a result of their natural source, synergistic product and supposedly limited side effects.…”