ABSTRACT
The use of herbal medicines is an old tradition globally and in Nigeria, but the efficacies of these preparations are not adequately confirmed. The antimicrobial, phytochemical and antioxidant efficacy of three commercial herbal preparations sold in Umuahia was assessed, to ascertain their antimicrobial efficacy and use as cheap alternative treatment for various ailments. Terminator herbal (sample A), Goko cleanser (sample B) and Beta cleanser(sample C) were obtained from hawkers in Umuahia, and were tested against two selected Gram positive, two Gram negative bacteria and a fungus using the agar diffusion technique. Susceptibility was measured by inhibition zones for different concentrations of the preparations against the selected organisms. All the test organisms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Bacillus spp. and Candida albicans used, were suspectiple to the drugs. Salmonella typhi and Staphlococcus aureus were most susceptible to the drugs with their MIC at 40% for all the drugs. Candida albicans had the least susceptibility with MIC at 80% for A and B and 60% for for C. All the drugs had bacteriocidal effect on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. except for Bacllus spp. which only C had a bacteriocidal effect on at 100%, only C also had fungicidal effect on Candida albicans at 100%. Phytochemical constituents identified in both herbal suspensions confirmed presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, oxalates and phytosterols. The flavonoid and saponin concentration in C was highest than the amount in A and B. The antioxidant analysis showed the presence of DPPH inhibition with A, B and C having values of 66.4, 69.5 and 71.6 at 100µg/ml which means that the drugs had scavenging ability. More studies should be carried out to ascertain the usefulness of these herbal products as alternative treatment for clinical diarrheal cases and wound or skin lesions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of Contents v
List of Tables viii
Abstract ix
Chapter One 1
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Aims And Objectives 3
Chapter Two 5
2.0 Literature Review 5
2.1 Background Of Study 5
2.2 Phytochemicals 6
2.3. Classes Of Major Phytochemicals, Food Sources And Nutritional Benefits 7
2.3.1 Alkaloids 8
2.3.2 Glycosides 9
2.3.3 Flavonoids 10
2.3.4 Phenolics 11
2.3.5 Saponins 11
2.3.6 Tannins 12
2.3.7 Terpenes 13
2.3.8 Anthraquinones 14
2.3.9 Essential Oils 14
2.3.10 Steroids 16
2.3.11 Anthocyanins 17
2.3.12 Carotenoids 17
2.3.13 Ascorbic Acid 19
2.4 Mechanism Of Action Of Phytochemicals 20
2.5 Antioxidants 22
2.6 Antimicrobial Properties Of Herbs And Herbal Extracts 23
2.7 Pathogens Associated With Human Infections 25
2.7.1 Salmonella 25
2.7.2 Staphylococcus Aureus 25
2.7.3 Escherichia Coli 26
2.7.4 Bacillus 26
2.7.5 Candida Albicans 27
Chapter Three 29
3.0 Materials And Method 29
3.1 Materials 29
3.2 Methods 29
3.2.1 Sterilization Of Materials 29
3.2.2 Sample Identification 29
3.2.3 Media Preparartion 30
3.3 Bacteriological Analysis 30
3.3.1 Characterization And Identification Of The Microorganisms 30
3.3.2 Gram Staining 30
3.4 Biochemical Tests 31
3.4.1 Catalase Test 31
3.4.2 Coagulase Test 32
3.4.3 Indole Test 32
3.4.4 Methyl Red Test 32
3.4.5 Voges Proskauer Test 33
3.4.6 Citrate Utilization Test 33
3.4.7 Oxidase Test 34
3.4.8 Nitrate Reduction Test 34
3.5 Identification And Characterization Of The Fungal Isolates 34
3.6 Phytochemical Analysis Of The Three Herbal Drugs 35
3.6.1 Determination Of Tannins 35
3.6.2 Determination Of Saponin 35
3.6.3Determination Of Flavonoids 35
3.6.4 Determination Of Alkaloids 36
3.6.5 Determination Of Oxalates 36
3.6.6 Determination Of Cyanide Glycosides 36
3.6.7 Determination Of Phytosterols 36
3.7 Antioxidant Analysis Of The Three Herbal Drugs 37
3.7.1 Determination Of Free Scavenging Activity Of Dpph Radical 37
3.8 Methodology For Antimicrobial Analysis Using Disc Diffusion Method 38
3.8.1 Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) 40
3.8.2 Minimum Bacterial Concentration (MBC) 40
3.8.3 Statistical Analysis 40
Chapter Four 41
4.0 Results 41
Chapter Five 50
5.0 Discusssion, Conclussion And Recommendations 50
5.1 Discussion 50
5.2 Conclusions 53
5.3 Recommendations 53
References
CHKAODIRI, M (2020). Antimicrobial, Phytochemical And Antioxidant Screening Of Three Herbal Drugs Sold In Umuahia, Abia State. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Nov 30, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/antimicrobial-phytochemical-and-antioxidant-screening-of-three-herbal-drugs-sold-in-umuahia-abia-state
MOUAU/12/23199, CHKAODIRI. "Antimicrobial, Phytochemical And Antioxidant Screening Of Three Herbal Drugs Sold In Umuahia, Abia State" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 04 Jun. 2020, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/antimicrobial-phytochemical-and-antioxidant-screening-of-three-herbal-drugs-sold-in-umuahia-abia-state. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
MOUAU/12/23199, CHKAODIRI. "Antimicrobial, Phytochemical And Antioxidant Screening Of Three Herbal Drugs Sold In Umuahia, Abia State". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 04 Jun. 2020. Web. 30 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/antimicrobial-phytochemical-and-antioxidant-screening-of-three-herbal-drugs-sold-in-umuahia-abia-state >.
MOUAU/12/23199, CHKAODIRI. "Antimicrobial, Phytochemical And Antioxidant Screening Of Three Herbal Drugs Sold In Umuahia, Abia State" Mouau.afribary.org (2020). Accessed 30 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/antimicrobial-phytochemical-and-antioxidant-screening-of-three-herbal-drugs-sold-in-umuahia-abia-state