ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF FROZEN AND UNFROZEN Ziziphus mauritiana LEAF EXTRACTS ON SELECTED CLINICAL BACTERIA

Abstract

Ziziphus mauritiana, commonly known as Magarya, is a widely recognized traditional medicinal plant believed to have antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of both frozen and unfrozen leaf extracts of Z. mauritiana against clinical bacterial isolates, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Fresh leaves were collected, dried, and subjected to extraction using ethanol and distilled water via the percolation technique. The resulting extracts were analyzed for phytochemical content and antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests through broth microdilution. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and flavonoids in both ethanolic and aqueous extracts.  The extracts exhibited dose-dependent antibacterial activity, with zones of inhibition ranging from 0 to 15mm, indicating moderate to strong effects. Both freeze-dried and unfreeze-dried extracts showed substantial effectiveness, particularly at higher concentrations. Additionally, a toxicity assessment using healthy laboratory rats demonstrated that the extracts are safe at doses up to ≤5000 mg/kg, supporting their safe use in traditional medicine. The study confirms the long-standing traditional use of Z. mauritiana for treating infections and highlights its potential as a natural source of antimicrobial agents, warranting further investigation for pharmaceutical development.