Antimicrobial screening of selected medicinal plants used for treating wound infections in cattle in Acholi sub region (Kitgum district)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is currently having a significant impact due to treatment failure associated with multidrug-resistant bacteria and it has become a global animal and public health concern. Medicinal plants form an integral part of many health care systems in developing countries. Basing on the growing resistance of MDR microbe strains to antibiotics and other drugs, the search for alternatives is urgently necessary. This study aimed at documenting and evaluating the antimicrobial activities of the selected plant extracts which have been used as traditional medicines by the Acholi community in treating wound infections in cattle. A survey was done to identify the medicinal plants used in treating wound infections and the laboratory experiment was done to screen the antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic plant extracts against bacteria isolates E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Information was obtained from 25 respondents and a total of 16 medicinal plants were reported to treat wound infections in cattle in the study area with the highest fidelity level calculated for Chamaecrista nigricans 56%, followed by Azadirachta indica (52%), Aloe vera (44%), Vernonia amygdalina (44%) and Euphorbia tirucalli (38%) respectively. In the disc diffusion method used, the extract of Aloe vera, Chamaecrista nigricans, Euphorbia tirucalli and Azadirachta indica have the ability to inhibit the growth of P. aerugenosa and S. aureus with the highest mean susceptibility of 10.67mm diameter seen in P. aerugenosa, while resistance was registered with E. coli. Conclusively, the people in Labongo Layamo Sub County and Kitgum district at large widely use several medicinal plants to manage wounds and other ailments in cattle. There is need therefore to conserve these species for sustainable utilization of plant resources. The results indicated that the extracts of Azadirachta indica, Euphorbia tirucalli, Aloe vera and Chamaecrista nigricans have the antibacterial effect on the bacteria tested, especially P. aeuruginosa. This was confirmed by determination of zone of inhibition. This indicated that these plants have antibacterial properties and could be used in the development of novel antibacterial agents, hence combating the global rise in antimicrobial resistance.