Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of twelve medicinal plants and Epa-Ijebu [a "Wonder Cure" Concoction] used in South West Nigeria on five common bacterial pathogens

ABSTRACT

Twelve Nigerian medicinal plants namely Crinium jagus, Allium ascalonicum, Alliurn cepa, Xylopia aethiopica, Abrus precalorius Allium sativum, Aframomum, melegueta, Terminalia glaucescens. Tetrapleura tetraptera, Garcinia kola, Nicotiana tabacum, Securidaca longipedunculata and a "Wonder-cure" concoction known as Epa-Ijebu" used by traditional medical practitioners for treatment of several ailments of microbial and non-microbial origin were investigated for in vitro activities against Staphylococcus aureus. Escherichia coli Salmonella typhi, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella sonnei using the punched-hole" diffusion method. Ethanol and aqueous extracts of Allium sativum. Terminalia glaucescens, Allium cepa, Xylopia aethiopiea. Allium ascalonicum. Aframomum melegueta. Securidaca longipedunculata and Epa-Ijebu concoction showed inhibitory activities against the bacterial pathogens. Epa-ljebu showed more activity than any of the other plant extracts. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds including tannin, flavonoid, alkaloids, phlobatannin, anthocyanin, reducing sugar, saponin and anthraquinone in both plant extracts and in Epa-Ijebu. In vivo studies are recommended to determine the toxicity. side-effects, serum-attainable levels and pharmacokinetic properties of the potent "Wonder-cure", Epa-Ijebu