Antibacterial, Antifungal and Anti-tubercular Activities of Chloroform Fraction of the Leaf Extract of Irvingia Gabonensis (African Bush Mango)

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of anti-drug resistance by disease causing microorganisms has necessitated the search for alternative sources of drugs for the treatment of the ailments caused by these microorganisms. This study examines the biological properties of extracts from the leaves of Irvingia gabonensis (bush mango). Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the anti-microbial activity of chloroform fraction of the leaf extract and compare it with that of clinical reference. Methods: Antimicrobial activity of the chloroform fraction of the leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella paratyphi, Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum by using the agar well diffusion method and Mycobacterium tuberculosis using agar proportion method on Lowenstein–Jensen medium. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the chloroform leaf fraction was done using qualitative standard methods. Results: This showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, coumarin, phenol and alkaloids. Organisms were susceptible to chloroform fraction at different concentrations. The lowest MIC value obtained was 0.625mg/mL for S. aureus and S. typhi. While, five out of seven mycobacterial strains that were used, were susceptible. Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity is a result of the phytochemicals present in leaf. Therefore, we conclude that Irvingia gabonensis leaves can be used in the development of new pharmaceuticals research activities such as drug production.