AN IN VITRO EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SUTHERLANDIA FRUTESCENS ON PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA.: Antimicrobial Activity of Sutherlandia frutescens on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Nhlanhla Nsele; Nontobeko Ndlovu

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1720

Authors

Nhlanhla Nsele Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Applied and Health Science, Mangosuthu University of Technology, South Africa, Durban
Nontobeko Ndlovu Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Applied and Health Science, Mangosuthu University of Technology, South Africa, Durban

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1720

Keywords:

Sutherlandia frutescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, antimicrobial resistance, medicinal plants, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)

Abstract

Background

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections has prompted interest in medicinal plants such as Sutherlandia frutescens, traditionally used in Southern African medicine. Despite some evidence of antimicrobial properties, its efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains unclear.

Aim: The study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of Sutherlandia frutescens extracts against P. aeruginosa, a multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen.

Methods

Aqueous and ethanol extracts of S. frutescens were prepared and tested using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay and broth microdilution for Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination.

Results

The aqueous extract of S. frutescens exhibited no inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa. The ethanol extract displayed a MIC value of 1.56 mg/mL; however, this finding was inconclusive, as the ethanol control demonstrated equivalent inhibitory activity at the same concentration. Statistical analysis of the zones of inhibition revealed no significant difference between the ethanol extract and the ethanol control (p = 0.1315).

Conclusion

The study indicates that S. frutescens extracts possess negligible intrinsic antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, lessening their potential as a standalone therapeutic option.

Recommendation

Future investigations should focus on evaluating synergistic interactions with conventional antibiotics or isolating specific bioactive compounds to enhance efficacy.

Author Biographies

Nhlanhla Nsele, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Applied and Health Science, Mangosuthu University of Technology, South Africa, Durban

Dr. NW Nsele: Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, specialising in Microbiology with expertise in phytopharmacology and infectious diseases.

Nontobeko Ndlovu, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Applied and Health Science, Mangosuthu University of Technology, South Africa, Durban

BHSc candidate in Biomedical Sciences at Mangosuthu University of Technology, specializing in Clinical Pathology.

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