WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Nwankwo L. U., Ovwasa F. T., Uyovwiesevwa A. J., *Omoirri M. A., Agare G. I., Nwagu S. T., Agbamu E.

ABSTRACT

Overtime, medicinal plants have been shown to contain intrinsic active ingredients that can be used for curative purpose for some diseases. Acalypha wilkesiana is one of those ethno medicinal plants of reported health benefits. This study compared the efficacy of aqueous A. wilkesiana leaf extract on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Powdered leaves of this plant was soaked in 100% distilled water for 3 and 7 days respectively. Both crude extracts were filtered, and concentrated distinctively to evaporate the excess solvent. This was reconstituted with distilled water in 6 dilutions (400 mg/mL, 200 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL and 25 mg/L) and used against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which was isolated from different individuals. The mean inhibitions obtained for the aqueous extract at these varying concentrations were; 10.317 mm, 8.426 mm, 5.571 mm, 3.00 mm,1.00 mm, 0.714 mm respectively. Phytochemical analysis was also carried out on the leaf to ascertain the active ingredients present. For each concentration obtained, zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentrations were each determined for Staphylococcus aureus. Comparisons were then made on the efficacy of A. wilkesiana leaf extract on S. aureus resistance. Results showed that the aqueous extract, had a higher antimicrobial effect against MRSA at increasing concentrations of the leaf. Phytochemical analysis also revealed the presence of Saponins, Tannins, Steroids and Terpenoids; active ingredients that may be responsible for the anti-microbial activity. Corroborative studies that consolidate on results of this study is highly recommended.

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