Abstract :
Reason: Andrographis paniculata and Aframomum melegueta are plants commonly used traditionally for the management of skin diseases. The scientific basis for the use of these plants’ extracts for wound healing and skin diseases remains poorly understood.
Methods: Powdered dry samples (50 g) of Andrographis paniculata leaves and Aframomum melegueta seeds were both extracted in ethanol and n-hexane separately. Bacteria isolates were obtained from the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, while organisms were sub-cultured on nutrient agar slants at 37°C for 24 hours before using for this investigation.
Main Findings: The results showed that both ethanol and hexane extracts of A. melegueta and A. paniculata inhibited the growth of all the bacteria tested. At concentrations of 150 and 200 mg/ml, the A. paniculata hexane extract was more potent than the ethanol extract and highly effective against the Corynebacterium accolens with zones of inhibition of 8.5 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm while A. melegueta ethanol extract was observed to be more potent than the hexane extract at the same concentrations. Aframomum melegueta and effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae with the highest zones of inhibition of 10.5mm and 12mm.
Conclusion: Both plants can be concluded to have broad spectrum antibacterial activity confirming them as effective antimicrobial plants useful in the management of skin diseases.
Keyword :
Antibacterial, Aframomum melegueta, Andrographis paniculata, Skin diseases.