Efficacy of Pterocarpus angolensis crude extracts against Candida krusei, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli (original) (raw)

Background The medicinal plants used to treat different ailments in Malawi contain important phytochemicals which have bactericidal and anti-fungal properties. Pterocarpus angolensis, locally known as mlombwa tree, which is found in many parts of Malawi, is one such a plant and was studied. Aims In vitro analysis of the antimicrobial properties of Pterocarpus angolensis crude extracts on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae, Candida krusei and determination of the phytochemicals there in. Methods In this study, different organs of P. angolensis, a medicinal plant which is locally used to treat skin diseases, were qualitatively screened for the presence of phytochemical constituents and quantitatively assayed for the antimicrobial activity to ascertain their pharmaceutical potential. The aqueous, dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of the leaves, stem-bark, fruits and roots of the plant were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Stre...