Antibacterial, anthelmintic and anti-amoebic activity in South African medicinal plants.
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.
McGaw
L J
LJ
Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
Jäger
A K
AK
van Staden
J
J
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
D000563:Amebicides; D000871:Anthelmintics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts