Potential Antimicrobial Plant Extract Based Therapeutics from Temnocalyx obovatus Roots.
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Date
2012-07
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Abstract
Aims: The study was conducted to determine antimicrobial activity of Temnocalyx
obovatus mature root extracts popularly used in folk medicine to treat diarrhoea in
chickens, stomach disorders in turkeys, goats and cows, snakebites, asthma, ulcers and
whooping cough in humans.
Study Design: Agar disk diffusion method and determining MIC.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry (Natural product section) June
2011 and July 2011.
Methodology: Two methods were employed for the determination of antimicrobial
activities; an agar paper disc diffusion method and determination of minimal inhibitory
concentration (MIC). Methanol and ethanol extracts were assayed for antimicrobial
activities. The following bacterial strains were employed in the screening studies:
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and fungi: Aspergillus
niger, Candida albicans all from stock cultures of Bindura University department.
Results: Methanol extract exhibited the greatest extraction efficiency; 136,1g/Kg as
compared to ethanol; 124,8 g/Kg. Both methanol and ethanol extracts showed significant
antibacterial and antifungal activity. Sensitivity to the extracts was not similar for the
chosen strains. The highest antibacterial activity of plant extract was 37,0 mm for
methanol and 28,0 for ethanol extracts for diameter of zone inhibition found against
Clostridium perfringens followed by 35,0 mm and 26,3 diameter of zone inhibition against
Escherichia coli at a concentration of 100%. Antifungal activity was highest for Aspergillus
niger at a concentration of 100%. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values
against these bacteria ranged from 10 - 60 μg/ml. In comparison to reference standards
Gentamicin, and miconazole, methanolic extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity,
student t-test, p = 0,05.
Conclusion: The present results support the use of aqueous extracts of Temnocalyx obovatus roots in folk medicine for the treatment of conditions such as diarrhoea and
stomach disorders. These results encourage follow-ups through bioassay-directed
isolation of the phytocompounds responsible for the potency.
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Keywords
Antibacterial, antifungal, plant extracts, therapeutics, Temnocalyx obovatus
Citation
Dzomba P, Muchanyereyi N. Potential Antimicrobial Plant Extract Based Therapeutics from Temnocalyx obovatus Roots. European Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2012 Jul-Sept; 2(3): 209-215.