ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC ROOT EXTRACTS OF UVARIA CHARMAE ON STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Inyang Imeobong J., Fischer Victor, Eyo Aniekan-Augusta O.* and Udonkang Mfoniso I.

ABSTRACT

Many different medicinal plants have been utilized in the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus due to the increased antibiotic resistance exhibited by this organism. One of such medicinal plants is Uvaria charmae, a small wild shrub found in the south, east and northern parts of Nigeria. This plant has been incorporated into many herbal preparations sold under different proprietary names in Nigeria, with claims of antibacterial activity particularly against S. aureus. This study was carried out to determine the antibacterial activity of Uvaria charmae ethanolic root extract on S. aureus. The results of antibacterial susceptibility testing indicated that Uvaria charmae root extracts had no antibacterial effect on S. aureus at concentrations of 25mg/dl, 50mg/dl, 100mg/dl and 200mg/dl compared with standard commercial discs of Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin at similar concentrations which showed zones of inhibition >21mm depicting susceptibility. This study suggests that Uvaria charmae does not have antibacterial effect against S. aureus and is thus unsafe for continuous usage for this purpose as this could prove toxic. Public awareness on the effects of indiscriminate use of herbal medicines for treatment of bacterial infections should be encouraged. Government regulation should be intensified through its regulatory agencies in the verification of claims by alternative medicine practitioners before permitting sale of herbal products.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Uvaria charmae, Staphylococcus aureus.