Evaluation of the Effect of Crude Extracts of Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum Graecum) on Resistant Isolates of Klebsiella Pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Abstract

The recent appearance of resistant bacterial species has generated alarm. Medicinal plants are still a good way to get bioactive substances with medical promise, and they can use to get a wide range of antibacterial substances. As an alternative to chemical agents, evaluated the effect of crude fenugreek seed extracts on resistant isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 in Karbala. Sputum samples were collected from 455 patients with severe COVID-19, samples were examined directly and cultured on microbiological culture media, and growing colonies were distinguished and preparing smears staining with Grams stain, API system for biochemical and fermentation differentiation, then disc diffusion method to distinguish the resistant isolates in accordance with clinical and laboratory standards institute 2020. Extraction method using the Soxhlet method for eight hours. Electric rotatory evaporators were used to evaporate the remaining solvents, then crude extracts were collected. The GC-MS is used to determine bioactive compounds. Determination of antimicrobial effects by well diffusion method using different concentrations of each extract as (25, 50, 100, and 150mg/ml). The isolated microorganisms were P. aeruginosa comprising 21 (4.6%) including 4 (0.9%) as resistant isolates. However, 50 (11.0%) of the isolates were K. pneumoniae, with 6 (1.3% being resistant) the remaining were other microorganisms. Methanolic extract indicated the heights contains of bioactive compounds followed by chloroform and aqueous respectively. Fenugreek seed methanolic extract at a MIC of 100 mg/ml significant effect on tested microorganisms, with inhibition zones of 10.67 and 9.67 mm, respectively. The methanolic extract contains the most bioactive compounds and the most effective antibacterial agent, followed by chloroform and aqueous extract respectively. P. aeruginosa was the most resistant isolate.