Antibacterial Activities of Three (3) Selected Medicinal Plants against Diarrhea Causing Pathogens

Study’s Excerpt/Novelty This study offers a comparative analysis of the antimicrobial efficacy of extracts from Acacia nilotica, Carica papaya, and Khaya senegalensis against common diarrheal pathogens, providing insights into potential alternative treatments for diarrhoea. Utilizing the cold maceration method and well diffusion assays, the research meticulously quantifies the inhibitory effects of each extract at varying concentrations, revealing Khaya senegalensis as the most potent. The findings underscore the therapeutic potential of these plant extracts, particularly in developing regions, and support their traditional use in diarrhoeal therapy, presenting a promising avenue for addressing a critical public health issue. Full Abstract Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries in sub Saharan Africa and south East Asia. Extracts from Acacia nilotica,(Bagaruwa) Carica papaya (Gwanda) and Khaya senegalensis (Marke) were prepared using cold maceration method. Well diffusion method was used on Muller Hinton agar and thiosulfate citrate bile salt agar (TCBS) and suspension of the test organisms was prepared in peptone water to match 0.5 McFarland standard, each extract solution at 200, 250 and 300mg/ml, was introduced into respective wells, incubated at 37oC for 24 hours. Ciprofloxacin at 8 mg/ml, was used as control. Plant crude extracts of C. papaya yielded (19.05g), A. nilotica (18.67g) and K. senegalensis (13.94g) respectively. The extracts exhibited varying degrees of inhibition against V. cholerae, K. pneumoniae and S. enterica serovar. Khaya senegalensis had the highest significant antibacterial activity at 300mg/ml (36.00±0.81f, 19.00±0.98, 22.00±0.69) and was the most active among the three plant extracts, followed by C. papaya at 300mg/ml (29.33±1.17, 31.50±0.29, 9.00±1.15) then A. nilotica at 200mg/ml, 29.00±0.87, 12.00±0.58, 20.00±0.29. Only C. papaya showed no activity at all concentration against V. cholera. The MIC of the plant crude extracts against Vibrio cholerae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky was 0.96±0.04, 0.96±0.05 and 1.80±0.17mg/mL respectively, while MBC was 1.02±0.12, 1.04±0.29 and 1.92±0.23 mg/mL. In conclusion the three plant crude extracts of (K. senegalensis, A. nilotica and C. papaya) showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activities against the test organisms. Therefore the leaves of the plants Carica papaya, Acasia nolitica and K. senegalensis can be recommended for diarrhoeal therapy in accordance with the traditional uses.