Antibacterial activity of two local medicinal plants, Utazi (Gongronena latifolium) and Nchuanwu (Ocimium gratissimium)

Abstract

The antibacterial activities of crude extracts of two local plants used in Nigeria for traditional medicine were tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella spp. Extraction of active ingredients from the plants was done using ethanol and methanol as solvents. Determination of the antibacterial activities was done using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Zone of Inhibition tests (ZIT). The two plants extracts exhibited anti-microbial activities against three of the test microorganisms. The methanolic extract of Utazi recorded the highest activity against E. coli while others also showed marked antibacterial activities. The only resistance observed was with Staph. Aureus to the methanolic extracts of both plants.

Keywords: antibacterial activities, medicinal plants, gongronema latifolium, ocimium gratissimium

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 36-39