Antibacterial Activity of Some Medicinal Plants Against Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia in Khartoum State – Sudan

The rising threat of antimicrobial resistance, particularly among Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria, has spurred interest in alternative sources of antibacterial agents. This study evaluates the antibacterial efficacy of three medicinal plants—Acacia nilotica (Fabaceae), Syzygium aromaticum (Myrtaceae), and Ziziphus spina-christi (Rhamnaceae) against ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Clinical isolates of these pathogens were obtained from hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan. The plants’ active compounds were extracted using 80% ethanol, and their antibacterial activity was assessed via the cup-plate agar diffusion method. Additionally, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each extract was determined. The results indicated that A. nilotica and S. aromaticum extracts exhibited significant antibacterial activity, while Z. spina-christi demonstrated no effect against the tested strains. These findings underscore the potential of A. nilotica and S. aromaticum as sources for developing novel antibacterial agents targeting ESBL-producing pathogens.