Phytochemical and In Vitro Antimicrobial Evaluation of Selected Herbal Mixtures Sold in Ibadan, Nigeria against Clinical Isolates associated with Sexually Transmitted Infections
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Date
2023-12
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Lead City University, Ibadan
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR), extensively drug resistant (XDR), and pan drug-resistant strains of bacteria have further complicated the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) which is a major public health concern. These situation has necessitated the exploration of alternative sources of antimicrobial agents, such as medicinal plants and the preparation of herbal mixtures by local herb manufacturers against STIs. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activities and microbial profile of some randomly selected herbal mixtures against clinical isolates causing STIs. A total of 6 herbal mixtures claimed by their manufacturers to be active against STI were used and were coded as: A, B, C, D, E and F. Antimicrobial activities of the herbal mixtures were tested against (4) clinical isolates obtained from patients with STIs, including Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia. The identities of the isolates were ascertained using standard
microbiological methods and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined by agar well diffusion methods. Phytochemical constituents of the mixture were determined by standard chemical methods. The results showed that herbal mixture A exhibited varying degrees of antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli with inhibition zones ranging from 14.5 to 19 mm but no zone of inhibition against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. Herbal mixture B to F showed no activity against the tested isolates. The herbal mixtures also showed different phytochemical profiles, with the presence of tannin, saponin, alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, glycoside, chalcones and steroid at varied concentrations. The findings of this study suggest that herbal mixtures have potential to be used as alternative therapy for the treatment of STIs. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy of these herbal mixtures in vivo.
Keywords: Escherichia coli, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), phytochemical profiles, herbal mixtures, clinical isolates
Word Count: 287
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Keywords
Escherichia coli, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), phytochemical profiles, herbal mixtures, clinical isolates
Citation
Kate Turabia