In-vitro antibacterial screening of methanol extracts of three combretum species against seven strains of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Background: Medicinal plants are valued as sources of natural compounds some of which are effective against several infectious diseases. Plants from the genus Combretum have been used traditionally in various African societies to treat variety of medical problems especially infectious diseases.Objective: In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of the methanol extracts from the leaves of three Combretum species namely Combretum hispidum, Combretum racemosum and Combretum platypterum against seven strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro.Materials and methods: Methanol extract from Combretum hispidum, Combretum racemosum and Combretum platypterum were subjected to agar diffusion assay and broth micro-dilution test for the determination of antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), all the extracts were tested against eight different strain of MRSA. Imipenem and ciprofloxacin were used as control.Results: Extract from Combretum racemosum leaves showed significant anti-MRSA activity with zone of inhibition as high as 37 mm and MIC values ranging from 0.16 - 1.25 mg/mL on all tested strains of MRSA. Extracts from the two other species did not exhibit any activity on all tested strain.Conclusion: Methanol extract from C. racemosum is highly effective against MRSA and it could be a potential source of newer antimicrobial agent against MRSA infections

Knowledge and use of insecticide treated nets as a malaria preventive tool among pregnant women in a local government area of Lagos state, Nigeria.

Malaria has been described as the foremost public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, Nigeria inclusive. This survey set out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice on the use of ITNs as a malaria preventive tool among pregnant women and to determine its level of recommendation and proper instructions given by pharmacists. Structured questionnaires were administered to pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at two selected hospitals in Alimosho Local Government Area (ALGA) of Lagos State and also to community pharmacists practicing in the same ALGA. Data was analyzed using Epi Info 2002 and Microsoft Excel. Forty eight community pharmacists and 163 pregnant women participated in the study. About 77 and 91% of pregnant women were aware of ITNs at Igando GH and the private hospital respectively. Only 11.2% and 37.5% actually used it. Majority of the pharmacists (95.8%) recommended the use of ITNs and 95% of them also gave counsel on ITN use while 5% did not. There is a wide difference between the level of awareness and the rate of use of ITNs by pregnant women. More emphasis should be placed on ownership and use of ITNs so that the benefit of its protection can be derived.