Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY ERITREAN TRADITIONAL HEALERS

*Atul Kaushik, Amanuel Aron, Senai Mihreteab, Nuredin Mohamedkassm and Ephraim Michael Kidane

Abstract

This experimental based study is aimed to validate the traditionally used plants viz Meriandra bengalensis, Urtica urens L. and Sida schimperiana for antimicrobial potential against different strains of bacteria and fungi (Escherichia coli, Staphylococci aureus and Candida albicans). Among these plants, Meriandra bengalensis, and Sida schimperiana, showed positive results. Meriandra bengalensis, and Sida schimperiana showed mild activity against S. aureus and C. albicans while Urtica urens L. was not showing any activity against all the tested microorganisms. TLC analysis was also carried out for all the extracts. R.f. values of the respective spots (major constituents) were determined which may help in further separation and isolation investigations. The results lend scientific credence to justify the use of these plants against bacterial infections.

Keywords: Traditional medicine, Antimicrobial activity, Crude extracts,