Guinea-Bissau's plants: In vitro susceptibility studies on Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Abstract

Extracts from different parts of Cassia sieberiana, Chamaechrista nigricans, Guiera senegalensis, Lippia chevalieri, Pavetta oblongifolia, Piliostigma thonningii, Senna podocarpa and Terminalia macroptera were examined for in vitro antibacterial activity. These species were collected in the Contúboel region (Guinea-Bissau) which were used by the traditional healer's of the Fulani ethny to treat several disorders including venereal diseases (Diniz, 1996). Fifteen plant extracts were tested against nine strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including penicillin and tetracycline resistant strains. All the extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against all the tested strains. Two of the most active extracts (from Guiera senegalensis leaves and Terminalia macroptera root) were partitioned with different solvents and tested for anti-Neisseria gonorrhoeae activity. © Swets & Zeitlinger.