Antibacterial Activity and GC-MS Analysis of a Traditional Herbal Formulation “Komi Da Ruwanaka” Sold in Katsina, Nigeria

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of a traditional medicinal formulation, also called “komi da ruwanka,” used in treating various diseases was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. The formulations sampled from three different locations exhibited significant (P<0.05) antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (KAT1: 15.67 ± 0.67, KAT2: 15.00 ± 0.58, and KAT3: 15.00 ± 0.58). However, there was no significant (P>0.05) antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella flexnerii. The formulation's content was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, identifying chlorobenzene (16.36%), p-xylene (13.77%), 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate (11.49%), and toluene (11.39%) as the major components. Minor components included methylligrocerate (0.16%), 3,5-di-tert-butylphenol (0.37%), decane (0.45%), and dimethylglutarate (0.59%). It is recommended that the Nigerian traditional medicine system be properly organized and integrated within a regulatory framework implemented at the federal level to ensure standardization and quality control in the manufacture of traditional medicinal formulations.