EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THE STEM BARK OF MAESOBOTRYA DUSENII (PAX) HUTCHINSON (EUPHORBIACEAE)

Introduction: Infection due to antimicrobial resistance is currently one of the major threats to mankind. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of the various extracts of the stem bark of Maesobotrya dusenii (Pax) Hutchinson (Euphorbiaceae). Methods: Pulverized 100 g of stem bark of M. dusenii extracted with methanol. Another 400 g of the plant material was also successively macerated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. These extracts were assessed for antimicrobial activity on clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined. Ciprofloxacin was used as a standard antibacterial drug, while ketoconazole was used as a standard antifungal drug. Results: The ethyl acetate extract was the most active extract on E. coli with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.025 mg/mL. The n-hexane extract also exhibited activity on E. coli with MIC of 0.196 mg/mL. Only n-hexane extract was active against Candida albicans with a MIC of 12.5 mg/mL. Conclusion: The ethyl acetate extract was active against E. coli, while n-hexane extract was active against C. albicans. Thus, suggesting that the extracts could be of great value in the development of a potent antimicrobial agent.