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Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy | Volume-13 | Issue-08
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Methanol Extract of Abrus precatorius Leaf Against Selected Clinical Isolates (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albican)
Chisom Ahamefula, Chibuzor Okechukwu Okeke, Ikenna Elvis Nnaoma
Published: Oct. 30, 2024 | 20 21
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajp.2024.v13i08.002
Pages: 368-371
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Abstract
Abrus precatorius is one of the herbal plants that have been reported to have medicinal properties. The leaves is widely used for the treatment of cough, cancer and swollen tonsils. Abrus precatorius is also known for its abundant chemical constituents that could be very important antibacterial agent. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Abrus precatorius leaf extracts against isolated clinical bacteria and fungi. The study employed agar disc diffusion method of antimicrobial sensitivity testing (50 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL, 200 µg/mL and 400 µg/mL), and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) model. The results showed a dose dependent antimicrobial potential of Abrus precatorius leaf extract against the test organisms with zone of inhibition ranging from 4 – 18mm against Escherichia coli, 6 – 19mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 4 -22mm against Staphylococcus aureus and 2 – 15mm against Candida albican. The extract also showed an MIC of 25mg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus, 50mg/ml for Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the least MIC of 100mg/ml for Candida albican. The outcome of the study suggest that Abrus precatorius leaf extract exert broad spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These findings validate the use of the plants for the treatment of infections, and indicate the potential roles of the plants in drug development programs of the pharmaceutical industry.