Antibacterial Activity of Ethanol and Aqueous Extracts of Garcinia Kola and Allium Sativum against Some Respiratory Pathogens: Alternative Antimicrobials?

Abstract

The evolution of resistant respiratory pathogens against conventional antibiotics is of public health concern. The development of plant-based antimicrobials will stem the tide of resistant microbial proliferation. This study brought forth the case of microbial activity of Garcinia kola and alium sativa ethanol and aqueous extracts. These plant products are chewed in Africa and beyond, against mainly respiratory infections. The respiratory organisms involved in this study were (Staphlococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Methods Punch hole agar diffusion method was used to study the antibacterial activity of ethanol and water extracts of G. kola and A. sativum after obtaining pure cultures of the bacterial pathogens. Results The combination of A.sativum and G.kola ethanol extracts showed statistically significant (p <0.0001) antibacterial activity to all the organisms different from that of G.kola and A.sativum extracts individually (using student t test). There was statistically significant effect (p<0.0001 for each) against S. pneumoniae and S pyogenes in particular with 43mm, and 40mm, mean inhibitory zones respectively, and against S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, E. coli and P aeruginosa with 24mm, 20mm, 18mm and 16mm mean inhibitory diameters respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the combined extracts was statistically significant when compared to single extracts for all the organisms except E coli, S pyogenes and K. pneumoniea. Conclusion: The combinations of G. kola and A. sativum have strong antimicrobial effect and were effective against susceptible organisms causing upper respiratory tract infections.