Selected South African medicinal plants with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial effects

Lower respiratory tract infections are ranked as the fourth leading cause of mortality in the world with people in low-income countries more likely to die from communicable than non-communicable diseases. Different microbial species threaten modern medicine by developing resistance toward previously effective drugs. Scientists have discovered that nature can provide solutions to these challenges through medicinal plants.

Helichrysum caespititium (DC) Harv is a perennial herb traditionally used to alleviate broncho-pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, headaches, and colds as well as a dressing for open wounds. Carpobrotus edulis, a sour fig, is used traditionally as medicine to treat TB, throat infections, digestive ailments, eczema, wounds, burns, toothaches and earaches as well as thrush. Tulbaghia violacea commonly known as wild garlic is traditionally used as a remedy for fever, colds, asthma, lung ulcers, sinusitis, TB and stomach problems as well as oesophagus cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate the bioactivity of the plants in a scientific setting.

Research has revealed that the extract possesses significant biological activity. H. caespititium extracts showed activities against different bacterial strains but were more pronounced on Escherischia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterococcus faecalis with reference to the standards (streptomycin and nalidixic acid). Hexane extract showed good activity against all gonorrhoea strains under study. The isolated compound was further investigated for efficacy against six pathogens with MIC between 60 – 250 µg/L.

It can be concluded that plants have the potential to be good drug candidates against multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Furthermore, modification of the drug candidates may improve overall efficacy.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023