Positive Health Online

Abstract

NKUO and co-workers, Departments of Life Sciences and Chemistry, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, South West Province, Cameroon, describe the anti-Salmonella activity of medicinal plants from Cameroon .

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of herbal extracts from plants commonly prescribed by traditional practitioners for typhoid fever .

Methodology

Microbiological assays testing methanolic extracts of plant parts for antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi, and S. typhimurium. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) were measured. The extracts tested contained Cymbogogon citratus leaves, Carica papaya leaves and roots, Maize silk, Mangifera indica leaves, Citrus fruit, Emilia coccinea plant, Comelia bengalensis leaves, Telfaria occidentalis leaves, and Gossypium arboreum plant.

Results

The best results were obtained with an extract from C. citratus leaves, C. papaya leaves, and Maize silk . Equally a formulation of C. papaya roots, M. indica leaves, citrus fruit and C. citratus leaves inhibited bacterial growth at very low concentrations . The least active extract was from C. bengalensis leaves. S. papatyphi was the most sensitive bacterium and S. typhimurium the least sensitive.

Conclusion

These traditionally used herbal extracts exhibit antibacterial activity against several strains of bacteria causing typhoid fever .

References

Nkuo AJ, Ndip R, McThomas A, Fru EC. Anti-Salmonella Activity of Medicinal Plants from Cameroon. The Central African Journal of Medicine 47 (6): 155-158, Jun 2001.