IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL ASSAY OF PLANTS USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN BUKOBA RURAL DISTRICT, TANZANIA.

Authors

  • D. P. Kisangau
  • K. M. Hosea
  • C. C. Joseph
  • H. V. M. Lyaruu

Keywords:

Antimicrobial activity, Secondary metabolites, Traditional medicine, Tanzania.

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.

Author Biographies

D. P. Kisangau

Department of Botany, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35060, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

K. M. Hosea

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 35060, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

C. C. Joseph

Department of Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

H. V. M. Lyaruu

Department of Botany, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35060, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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Published

2007-06-10

How to Cite

Kisangau, D. P., Hosea, K. M., Joseph, C. C., & 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), 510 –. Retrieved from https://journals.athmsi.org/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/274

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 4 (2007)

Section

Research Papers

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