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ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF BRIDIALMACRANTHA EXTRACTED BY VARIOUS SOLVENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Bridelia micrantha, commonly known as "Bridialmacrantha," is a plant species native to various regions of Africa. It has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, particularly for its potential antimicrobial effects. Several studies have investigated the antimicrobial properties of Bridelia micrantha, but there is still a need for comprehensive research to explore its efficacy when extracted using different solvents.

Several hundreds of plants the world over represent good sources of therapeutic agents and are used traditionally for different purposes, including treatment of bacteria, fungi, and viral infections.[1,2] Of about 250,000 flowering plants in the world[3] more than 50,000 are used for medicinal purposes.[4]  Drug discovery from medicinal plants led to the isolation of anti-infectives such as vincristine, vinblastine, aspirin, cocaine, digitoxin, quinine and morphine, of which some are still in use.[5] Morphine isolated from Papaver somniferum is used as a potent pain killer, while aspirin, an acetyl salt of salicylic acid from Willow bark, is one of the most effective analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory agent used in modern day medicine.[5,6] Cocaine from coca plant, Erythroxylum coca, has been used as substrate in the synthesis of local anaesthetic agents such procaine and xylocaine, while quinine from Cinchona bark is used in the management of severe/cerebral malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.[5]

The use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases in Africa is an ancient tradition that has co-existed with human habitation.[7] Herbal medicines form a significant part of African culture and traditions,[8,9] hence there is an increasing trend to integrate traditional medicine with primary health care. This owing to the fact that 80% of families in the developing world today still depend on traditional herbal remedies for the treatment of disease, as they are affordable and easily accessible to all.[7]

Bridelia micrantha belongs to the genus Bridelia Willd (Tribe; Bridelieae, Phyllanthaceae, Order; Malpigheales)[10] and includes approximately 60-70 species from Africa to Asia. The plant is a semi-deciduous to deciduous tree up to 20 m tall with a dense rounded crown and tall, bare stem. Several parts of the plant are used to treat different human ailment by traditional healers. The leaf sap of the plant is used to treat sore eyes by the Hayas; the shambalas use the roots as a remedy for severe epigastric pain while the Zigulas rub a preparation of the powdered root, made with oil or butter into the scalp for the relief of headache.[11]

S. aureus, S. sonnei, S. Typhimurium, and H. pylori are pathogens of medical importance causing life threatening infections such as; meningitis, shigellosis, non-typhoidal salmonellosis, and peptic ulcer[12] which are difficult to treat due to the emergence of multidrug resistant strains (MRSA, VRSA, and S. Typhimurium DT104).[13]

In South Africa, B. micrantha stem bark is used in traditional medicine for gastrointestinal ailments, paralysis and painful joints[14] while in five districts of Lagos, Nigeria the stem bark is used for the treatment of diabetes.[15] In the Sango bay ecosystem in Rakai district, central Uganda, decoction of the bark and leaves is used for treating syphilis and

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