Antibacterial Activity of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Some Medicinal Plants used by Traditional Birth Attendants in Sokoto Metropolis

Leaves of Ocimum basilicum, Leptadania hastata and Momordica balsamina are locally used by traditional birth attendants at pre and post-partum. The present study investigates the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts against isolates of L. monocytogenes. Standard microbiological techniques were used to isolate and identify the bacteria. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, terpinoids and glycosides in the studied extracts. MIC of the extract of M. balsamina shows a total inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes at a concentration of 2,000µg/mL. No isolate was inhibited at concentration lower than 125µg/mL of M. balsamina extract. MIC of the extract against L. hastata was observed at a concentration of 2,000µg/mL. O. basilicum extract inhibited the growth of the isolates at a concentration of 2,000µg/mL. The MBC of the extracts, was between 5,000-0.61µg/mL were used, however, no antibacterial activity was observed on the bacterium with any of the three plants extracts at all concentration levels (0.61-5000πg/mL). The leaf extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory activity but lack bacteriocidal effects on L. monocytogenes. It was recommended that further studies on the preparation, effective doses and side effects of these extracts in animal models are warranted.