Antimycobacterial evaluation of some medicinal plants used in plateau State of Nigeria for the treatment of tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a devastating disease worldwide in the 21st Century and it is believed that one third of the World's populations are infected. 22 Countries are responsible for over 80% of the global TB burden, Nigeria is rank 4th and have the highest burden in Africa. A number of anti tuberculosis drugs are ineffective against this disease due to the emergence of resistance strains. As part of the effort in developing a new anti tuberculosis agent, we decided to interact with traditional medicine practitioners of the Plateau region on their approach to the management of TB. A total of fourteen (14) plants representing nine families were identified as the most often used plants to manage TB symptoms in the region. The plants materials were extracted using 70% aq. methanol and the extracts obtained after concentration were screened against BCG. The results of the assay showed that 56% of the plants screened had MICs within the range of 800 micro g/ml to 2000 micro g/ml and as such had antimycobacterial activity. These plants are potential sources for herbal drugs for exhibiting these strong inhibitory properties and could also provide leads to tuberculosis drug development.