Studies of Larvicidal and Antibacterial Sensitivity Potential of Viscum album

Abstract

The plant, Viscum album, is implicated in a variety of therapies ranging from skin, gastrointestinal, hypertension to tumour problems, therefore, it has served humanity for centuries. However, its involvement in malaria control has not been reported as the disease claims about 500 millions cases yearly and has now become a world issue. Routine larvicidal assay of the leaf extract exposed promising indications, in addition, its effects on the sensitivity of selected bacteria need confirmation and consequently prompted the present research. The ethanol extract of the plant at 5 and 10w/v was assayed against the fourth instar larvae of Anophele gambiae and incubated for 1,6,12 and 24 hours. Lethality was recorded in terms of percentage of deaths recorded and the results indicated a dose and incubation dependant trend. Moreover, purification of the extract was found to improve on the activity. The chloroform fraction (at 5%w/v) being the most active fraction after one hour displayed a 67% and 82% LA after 24 hours. At 10%w/v and after 24 hours there was total lethality (100%LA). Sensitivity assay carried out on selected bacteria revealed a sort of selectivity in activity expression. The crude and fractions were found to be more active against gram positive bacteria. However, they were not active against E. Coli. The results obtained indicate the potential of the plant and a panacea for various infectious ailments such as skin and gastrointestinal diseases and others and therefore has lent scientific justification to some of the folkloric practices.

NQJHM Vol. 14 (3&4) 2004: pp. 244-247