Antibacterial Activity of Commiphora Africana Leaf Extracts on Some Bacteria Associated with Persistent Diarrhea

The study was aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of Commiphora africana leaf extracts against some bacteria associated with persistent diarrhea. Aqueous and methanol extracts from Commiphora africana leaves were prepared, screened for phytochemicals analysis and tested for antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella sp, Shigella sp and Escherichia coli. Phytochemical screening of the extracts showed that Commiphora africana leaf extracts contain Alkaloid, saponin, tannin, phenol, steroid, flavonoid, terpenoid and glycoside. Statistical analysis of the result showed that methanol extract demonstrated highest antibacterial activity with average zone of inhibition of 14.5 mm among the isolates than aqueous extracts (13.2 mm). Based on the susceptibility of the organisms to the extracts, E. coli was found to be the highest susceptible organisms with average zone of inhibition of 14.9 mm, followed by Klebsiella sp (14.2 mm), Shigella (13.9 mm), while least average zone of inhibition is shown by Salmonella typhi (12.4 mm). The MIC and MBC of the extracts ranges from 3.125 to 50 mg/ml There is no significant different on the susceptibility of the organisms against the extracts at p<0.05. The results of the present study have provided the justification for therapeutic potential of Commiphora africana leaf.