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2 μg/mL) against a multi-drug-resistant strain (ATCC 700699) and low cytotoxic activity (CC50 > 100 μM) against the human cell line Hep2 (laryngeal carcinoma).
doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.11.005 
Copyright © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd All rights reserved.
Antibacterial activity of plants used in traditional medicines of Ghana with particular reference to MRSA
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George A. Pesewua, b, Ronald R. Cutlera, 
, 
and David P. Humbera
Received 20 June 2006;
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
: In an ethno botanical survey carried out in the Akwapim-North district of the Republic of Ghana, 25 plant species, used in traditional medicine to treat skin disease and/or to treat antimicrobial (viral, bacterial or protozoan) infections were identified.
Aim of Study
: To investigate the antimicrobial activity of traditional Ghanaian medicines with special interest in anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity.
Materials and methods
: Chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts (including use of a Stomacher) of these plants were prepared and agar-well diffusion tests, MIC's and MBC's were used to investigate antimicrobial activity.
Results
Extracts of 13 plant species inhibited the growth of one or more of the following bacteria: MRSA, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris. Extracts from 11 of these 13 plant species also inhibited the growth of three or more of 14 additional clinical isolates of MRSA. Aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia were active against all 21 bacterial strains tested and showed the highest levels of antibacterial activity overall with MIC's against MRSA in the range of 1.6–3.1 mg ml−1 and MBC's in the range of 6.3–12.5 mg ml−1.
Conclusions
: The presence of antibacterial activity in extracts of Elaeophorbia drupifera, Rauwolfia vomitoria and the leaves of Solanum verbascifolium, plants traditionally used to treat skin infections, are reported for the first time. Extracts from Alchornea cordifolia, also used to treat wounds, had the widest spectrum of antibacterial activity.
Keywords: Antibacterial; MRSA; Traditional medicines; Ghana
Article Outline
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Materials and methods
- 2.1. Ethnobotanical survey and collection of specimens
- 2.2. Plant extracts
- 2.3. Sources of bacterial cultures
- 2.4. Tests of antibacterial activity by the agar-well diffusion method
- 2.5. Quantitative antimicrobial evaluation
- 3. Results
- 3.1. Ethnobotanical survey
- 3.2. Plant extracts
- 3.3. Antibacterial activity
- 4. Discussion
- 5. Conclusions
- Acknowledgements
- References
