Antibacterial Activity of Sidr (Zizyphus spin csiti) Plant Extracts against Urinary Pathogens

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections in children, with Escherichia coli being a primary causative agent. Traditional remedies like the Sidr plant have gained popularity due to their therapeutic properties, including antibacterial effects. Methods: Sidr leaves were collected, dried, and powdered. A cold aqueous extract was prepared by dissolving the powder in distilled water, and an alcoholic extract was made using ethyl alcohol. Chemical analysis was conducted to identify active ingredients. The antibacterial activity of both extracts was evaluated against bacterial isolates using agar well diffusion method. Results and Discussion: Chemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, terpenoids, and other compounds in the Sidr plant. Both aqueous and alcoholic extracts showed antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial isolates. Increasing concentrations of the extracts correlated with increased inhibition of bacterial growth, with the alcoholic extract exhibiting a maximal inhibitory effect at 200 mg/ml. Conclusion: The antibacterial activity of Sidr plant extracts is attributed to their impact on bacterial cell activity and membrane permeability, likely due to the presence of phenolic compounds. These findings support the potential use of Sidr plant extracts as alternative or adjunct therapies for UTIs.