MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF SOME UNREGISTERED HERBAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS (HMPs) SOLD IN Kaduna Metropolis.

In underdeveloped and developing nations, Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPs) are highly sought after for treating infections and diseases due to their availability and affordability. This study aims to assess the microbial contamination levels in select, commonly sought-after, inexpensive, and readily available NAFDAC uncertified Herbal products within Kaduna Metropolis. The findings reveal a significant bacterial count, notably ≥ 3. 0 x 10⁷ CFU/ml of S. aureus in S4, E. coli in S1-S4, Salmonella spp in S2, and Shigella spp in S2, within HMPs designated for treating typhoid and malaria. For HMPs indicated for stomach ulcers, microbial analysis showed S. aureus in S6 and S12, E. coli in S5, S6, and S12, Salmonella spp in S5, S6, and S13, and Shigella spp in S2. Similarly, for HMPs targeted at yellow fever, findings included S. aureus in S7-S11, E. coli in S7 and S11, Salmonella spp in S7, S10, and S11, and Shigella spp in S8 and S10. Despite some HMPs showing lower CFU/ml values, all samples exceeded the WHO limit of 10² CFU/ml. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed Salmonella spp resistant to eleven antibiotics, S. aureus resistant to six antibiotics, Shigella spp resistant to seven antibiotics, and E. coli resistant to four antibiotics. These findings underscore the development of resistant strains, posing a significant risk of further spread or transmission to consumers of these HMPs. Consequently, implementing measures to curb the marketing of these unregistered HMPs becomes imperative in combating the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).