World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF TETRADENIA RIPARIA PRE-PURIFIED FRACTIONS AGAINST DIARRHEA CAUSING MICROORGANIMS

Mutuku Chrispus Ngule*

ABSTRACT

Diarrhea is a major public health problem especially in developing countries affecting majorly young children under the age of 5 years. The disease causes death to approximately 6 million people worldwide with young children constituting a great percentage of these deaths. Plants have long heritage in their use to treat diarrhea. The current study was undertaken to ascertain the potential of Tetradenia riparia pre-purified fractions in the treatment against diarrhea causing microorganisms. The fractions tested viz: hexane, ethyl acetate and water inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi the two diarrhea causing microorganisms used. Ethyl acetate fraction gave the best zones of inhibitions. The inhibition of ethyl acetate fraction was significantly high compared to the conventional drug used, penicillin. The plant Tetradenia riparia is used traditionally by the Meru people in Kenya in the treatment of bloody diarrhea. Therefore, the inhibition of the plant against the selected diarrheal microorganisms is a major contribution towards provision of a scientific prove of its use in this course. Further studies needs to be done to isolate the active compounds, elucidate their structures and their mode of action. Formulation of the plant’s extracts in to aseptic solutions is a prudent idea in the fight against diarrhea causing microorganisms.

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