The antibacterial activity of Urtica massaica Mildbr. Ethanolic leaf extract against Enterococcus faecalis

Abstract

Recently, there has been difficulty in the management of various infections such as gastric ulcers in Uganda as a result of deteriorating health care systems, high prices and the associated side effects of western drugs. The condition has been worsened by the emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens thus forcing people to resort to herbal medicine. As a result, 80% of the world’s population use herbal medicine for their primary health care. Enterococcus faecalis infection is responsible for the severity of gastric ulcers in its host. This work aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Urtica massaica plant against Enterococcus faecalis. Phytochemical screening for 10 important compounds was performed. Agar well diffusion method was used to determine the activity of the extract at different concentrations of 100%, 75%, 50% & 25% against E. faecalis. Saponins, Tannins, reducing compounds, Coumarins, Flavonosides and Steroid glycosides were found to be present in the crude extract. The extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis at different concentrations and a strong positive correlation between the activity and concentration of the extract existed. The results can be a corner stone for formulating effective antibiotics against E. faecalis related infections. A safe dose range for the plant is required to be determined.