Effects of Leaf and Root Extracts of Aspilia Plant (Aspilia mossambicensis) (Oliv) Wild.on Some Selected Micro-Organisms

Abstract

Phytochemical and anti-microbial properties of the methanol extracts of Aspilia mossambicensis (family, Compositae) were studied. The plant has been used by traditional healers to treat skin diseases, wounds, gonorrhea, abdominal pains, respiratory problems and malaria. Bacteria used for antimicrobial analysis consisted of clinical strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (gram positive) and Salmonella typhi (gram negative) bacteria and one strain of fungi (Aspergillus niger). Phytochemical screening of the plant leaves and roots of A. mossambicensis revealed that the plant contains active compounds of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponin, steroids, carbohydrates and anthraquinones. The methanol extract showed antimicrobial activity against the three microorganisms at relatively lower concentrations. Leaves extracts showed higher level of growth inhibition of S. pyogenes, followed by S. typhi and A. niger, respectively. Root extracts showed higher growth inhibition for A. niger, followed by S. typhi and S. pyogenes in that order. In comparison leaves extracts showed better microbe growth inhibition than root extracts and was attributed to absence of aldehydes in the roots, or a more concerted synergistic activity of active compounds present in the leaves. The study has shown that species of Aspilia mossambicensis have considerable activity against gram positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, gram negative bacterium Salmonella typhi and one fungal strain, Aspergillus niger. The study supports the previous claims by traditional healers of the plant to heal several diseases in traditional communities in Kenya. The study provides a strong evidence for new sources of antimicrobial drugs from this plant.