Market survey and antimicrobial evaluation of selected medicinal plants used for treatment of common skin infections in Kampala

Abstract

Skin infections are the 4th leading cause of nonfatal disease burden worldwide. Approximately 34% of all global occupational diseases encountered are skin infections. The infections affect populations of all ages in both developing and developed countries. They affect between 30% to 70% of individuals particularly in sub Saharan Africa. Conventional drugs are said to be expensive and have side effects. Many plants have been used by people in different communities to treat skin infections but many have not been documented and validated. The main objective of the study is to document the medicinal plants sold in Kampala markets for treatment of skin infection and validate the antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of the most four most mentioned plants. Method: A market survey was carried out in Kampala and documented plants sold for management of skin infection. The priority plants were further investigated for antimicrobial activity and phytochemistry. The crude extracts of Albizia coriaria, Dracaena steudneri, Entada abyssinica and Psorespermum febrifagum were screened against two microorganisms that is Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton mentagrophyte. The plants were screened using agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening was carried out to identify the presence and absence of bioactive compounds. Results: During the survey, fifty five medicinal plants were documented for managing skin infections. Among these plant species mentioned to be used in treating skin infections around Kampala market, most of them belong to family Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae respectively. The priority plants were Albizia coriaria, Dracaena steudneri, Entada abyssinica and xiv Psorespermum febrifagum of the four priority plant, three were found to be sensitive against S. aureus and T. mentagrophyte. Dracaena steudnueri didn’t exhibit activity against test organism. All the plant extracts presented at least six of the tested active compounds (Saponin, Tannins, Reducing compounds, Alkaloids, Anthraconoside, Anthocyanoside, Coumarins, flavoniside, Steroids glycosides) but ethanol extracts exhibited more active compounds than aqueous extracts. This study recommends that the plant extracts with good antimicrobial activity be subjected to both pharmacological and toxicological studies