In Vitro Antimicrobial Assay Of Plants Used In Traditional Medicine In Bukoba Rural District, Tanzania
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Date
2007
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Abstract
Plants used in traditional medicine in Bukoba Rural district in Tanzania were evaluated for their in
vitro antimicrobial activities. Plant materials from eight plant species (Harungana madagascariensis (Lam)
Poir., Jatropha curcas L., Lantana trifolia L., Plectranthus barbatus Andr., Pseudospondias microcarpa
Engl., Psorospermum febrifugum Spach, Teclea nobilis Del. and Vernonia adoensis [Warp.] SL) were
collected based on ethnomedical information provided by traditional herbal practitioners. Results of the
study indicate that extracts from the eight plant species were active against at least one or more of the test
organisms (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus [gram positive], Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa [gram negative] and Candida albicans [Yeast]). A profile of secondary metabolites (alkaloids,
terpenoids, triterpenes, phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, flavonols/flavones and /or
chalcones, sterols and saponins) was obtained for three plant species (Jatropha curcas L., Plectranthus
barbatus Andr., and Pseudospondias microcarpa Engl.). The paper discusses the probable therapeutic basis
of these traditional plants based on their secondary metabolite profiles and for the first time draws research
attention to Bukoba Rural district as a source for plants with potential pharmaceutical applications.
Description
Keywords
Antimicrobial activity, Secondary metabolites, Traditional medicine, Tanzania
Citation
Kisangau, D.P., Hosea, K.M., Joseph, C.C. and Lyaruu, H.V.M., 2007. In vitro antimicrobial assay of plants used in traditional medicine in Bukoba rural district, Tanzania. African Journal of Traditional, complementary and alternative medicines, 4(4), pp.510-523.