title: Antibacterial and antifungal activity of traditional medicinal plants used against venereal diseases in South Africa.
abstract: Aqueous, ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of 13 plants used in South Africa for the treatment of venereal diseases were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activity. Among the plants tested, Gunnera perpensa, Harpephyllum caffrum, Hypoxis latifolia and Ledebouria ovatifolia showed the best antibacterial activity. The aqueous extracts of Gunnera perpensa and Harpephyllum caffrum were most active against all the tested bacteria. In antifungal screening, good activity was shown by the ethanolic extracts of Bersama lucens and Harpephyllum caffrum. Only in the case of Harpephyllum caffrum did aqueous extracts have activity against Candida albicans.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, South Africa.
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Buwa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Staden
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts