ABSTRACT
Background: Senna alata is an underutilized shrub found in many countries and is known for its traditional use in the treatment of dermatophytes and other related diseases. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the phytochemical and antibacterial effects of S. alata leaves extracts against bacterial isolates obtained from urinary tract infection patients in Calabar. Methodology: Matured fresh leaves of Senna alata were collected within Calabar, Cross River state, Nigeria, in May 2022 and identified by a botanist in the Department of Botany, University of Calabar. The leaves of S. alata were extracted with water, methanol and ethyl acetate using maceration and soxhlet methods. Phytochemical analysis was conducted to detect the presence of bioactive compounds using standard methods. The crude extracts of S. alata were investigated for antibacterial properties using agar well diffusion method and mechanisms of antibiosis determined using MBC/MIC ratio. Results: In both methods of extraction, methanol yielded more extracts compared to other solvents. Soxhlet methanol extract (SaMeSh) had the highest (12.21%) percentage yield while maceration ethyl acetate extract (SaEaMa) had the least (4.77%) percentage yield. The phytochemicals assayed revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids and steroids. However, terpenoids was not detected in methanol and ethyl acetate extracts. Senna alata extracts demonstrated broad spectrum of activity against the tested isolates at various concentrations with organic solvents exhibiting the highest antibacterial activity. However, the observed activity varied with respect to concentration of extract and types of organisms. The MIC values ranged from 31.25 to 250 mg/mL and MBC values from 62.5 to 500 mg/mL. The MIC index of the crude extracts against the test uropathogens was ?8. Conclusion: This study indicates that S. alata could be a source of novel antimicrobial agent. Further research is required to isolate, characterize and identify bioactive constituents responsible for the observed activity.
ABSTRACT
Study on the prevalence of brancroftian filariasis among sub-urban dwellers of Edim Otop Community in Calabar, Nigeria was carried out between April and November, 2009. Two hundred and twenty two willing participants within the age range of 15-55 years, from 5 designated zones were randomly selected for the collection of day and night blood samples for screening by ICT card test and Knott’s concentration methods respectively for Wuchereria bancroftian antigen and microfilaria. The participants were made up of 129 males (56.31%) and 92 females (43.69%). The numbers of positive cases obtained by the highly sensitive ICT card test were 38 (17.20%). There was no positive case by the conventional Knott’s concentration method. The highest number of positive cases (4.5%) was obtained from Edim Otop Close and Bassey Oqua zones with 40 and 38 participants, while the least number of positive cases (2.2%) were obtained from Edim Otop Crescent and University of Calabar Satellite town as compared to other zones of the study. . The highest (15.85%) antigenaemia were observed within the ages of 37-47 and the least (0.9%) within 15-25 years old participants. A higher percentage of positive cases were recorded among male participants (57.89%) than females (42.11%). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the distribution of parasites according to age and gender in the study area using Chi square methods. Edim Otop Community in Calabar, Cross River State is presented in this study as having shown positive cases of antigenaemia due to Wuchereria bancrofti.