title: Antibacterial, anthelmintic and anti-amoebic activity in South African medicinal plants.
abstract: Hexane, ethanol and water extracts of plants used by South African traditional healers for treating stomach ailments were screened for antibacterial, anthelmintic and anti-amoebic activities. To evaluate antibacterial activity, the disc-diffusion assay was used against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. Minimal inhibitory concentration values were determined with a microdilution assay. Ethanolic extracts showed the greatest activity, and Gram-positive bacteria were the most susceptible microorganisms. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used in two different assays to evaluate anthelmintic activity. A microdilution technique was employed to investigate anti-amoebic activity against the enteropathogenic Entamoeba histolytica. These assays were suitable for the screening of a large number of extracts at one time. Several plants exhibited significant activity against these test organisms.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: McGaw
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Staden
mesh_terms: D000563:Amebicides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D000563:Amebicides; D000871:Anthelmintics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts