Antibacterial potential of Alibizia coriaria (Welw. ex Oliver) and Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) as alternative remedies in the treatment of common hospital associated infections

Abstract

Background: Presently, it is necessary to discover new and efficient antimicrobial drugs because of increasing drug resistant organisms. Using medicinal plants for natural treatment of diseases caused by bacterial origin has mainly been considered. In this study, Albizia coriaria and Vernonia amygdalina were investigated for their antimicrobial potential in the treatment against selected hospital associated Infectious bacteria. The plants were selected on the basis of their widespread use in traditional herbal medicine. Methods: In this laboratory based experimental study, the fresh leaves and stem barks were randomly collected from the plants of A. coriaria and V. amygdalina in April 2021 in Kasana- Mukono District. Extraction of the plant material was done with methanol and water. The antibacterial activity of each plant extract against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was determined by agar well diffusion method followed by incubation at 37ºC for 24hrs and then the zones of inhibition diameters measured with the aid of a ruler in millimeters (mm) and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determined using the agar dilution method. Data were analyzed using R statistical package 3.1.1. All the results will be expressed as Means ± SEM (standard error of mean). Results: The antibacterial screening carried out in this study indicated that both A. coriaria and V. amygdalina have potential antimicrobial activity (Table 4.1.1). The best antibacterial activity was observed in methanol extract of A. coriaria bark (zone of inhibition (zoi) 19.00mm & 22.67mm) followed by the methanol extract of V. amygdalina leaves with zone of inhibition 16.00mm and 19.00mm against E. coli and S. aureus respectively. The means of the zones of inhibition had a significant difference at P≤ 0.05 (Table 4.1.1). Furthermore, A. coriaria bark and V. amygdalina leaves showed low MICs for both aqueous and methanol extracts against E. coli. Conclusion: The results of this study justify the use of these plants in traditional medicine and indicate a promising potential for the development of more effective alternative remedies that will curtail the current problem of antibiotic resistance. Therefore communities need to be sensitized on the safe use of these medicinal plants and their conservation should be given a priority. Key words: Albizia coriaria, Vernonia amygdalina, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.