Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens root and Bombax buonopozense leaves

Abstract

In-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC root and Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv. leaves against some bacterial and fungal isolates implicated in oro-dental, urogenital and other opportunistic infections were investigated using standard microbiological methods. The extracts of D. adscendens exhibited significant inhibitory action against all twelve organisms tested at a concentration of 2.00 mg/ml, while that of B. buonopozense inhibited nine organisms at the same concentration and conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exhibited by extract of D. adscendens ranged between 0.0625 and 0.25 mg/ml while that of B. buonopozense ranged between 0.125 and 0.50 mg/ml. Phytochemical analysis of the two plant extracts revealed the presence of tannins and saponins while D. adscendens has alkaloids and flavonoids in addition. Between 92 and 100% of Staphylococcus aureus SA 1199 were killed within 120 minutes of contact time with a concentration of 0.25 - 0.50 mg/ml, while 98 - 100% of Candida albicans ATCC 90029 were killed within the same period and  concentration by the same extract (D. adscendens). Therefore, this study justified the antimicrobial properties of these plants, hence the plants could be recommended for use as source of new drugs for fungal and bacterial infections. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Desmodium adscendens, Bombax buonopozense, antibacterial, antifungal, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration