Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Acalypha wilkesiana.
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Date
2013-01
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Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of the leave of Acalypha wilkesiana methanolic extract and its
four derivative fractions were determined on human pathogenic bacteria namely strains of
Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli and fungi; Aspergillus niger, A. flavus,
A. carbonerium, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans. Methanolic extract
(200 mg/ml) and its fractions were tested on the bacteria and fungi using the disc diffusion
method. In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity were screened by using Mueller
Hinton Agar (MHA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) respectively. The minimum inhibitory
concentration for the bacteria and fungi were also determined. Results showed broad
spectrum antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria but
same cannot be said about its activity against the fungi. The ethyl acetate fraction
inhibited the growth of more bacteria and fungi compared to the other fractions; however, the aqueous extract was more effective on the bacteria isolates as it showed the lowest
MIC for more bacteria compared to the other fractions. The extract and its fractions were
active against bacteria which some standard antibiotics were not able to inhibit.
Methanolic extract of A. wilkesiana leaves and its fractions showed a better antibacterial
activity than antifungal activity. The fact that the plant was active against both clinical and
laboratory isolates is an indication that it can be a source of very potent antibiotic
substances that can be used against drug resistant microorganisms. The search for new
drugs to counter the challenges posed by resistant strains of bacteria and some fungi
might have started yielding results as the investigation of this plant has demonstrated
enormous therapeutic potential.
Description
Keywords
Acalypha wilkesiana, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, resistance
Citation
Haruna Muyideen T, Anokwuru Chinedu P, Akeredolu Abosede A, Akinsemolu Adenike A, Alabiv Okunola A. Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Acalypha wilkesiana. European Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2013 Jan-Mar; 3(1): 52-64.