Antibacterial Screening of Five Selected Plants Commonly Used Against Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Pathogens

Abstract

This study investigates the antibacterial properties of five medicinal plants: Mangifera indica (mango leaves), Cola nitida (kolanut), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Xylopia aethiopica (Negro pepper), and Allium sativum (garlic), traditionally used for the treatment of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections in Sokoto, Nigeria. Ethanolic, aqueous, diethyl ether, and n-hexane extracts were tested against various ENT pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The study employed agar well diffusion methods to determine zones of inhibition, as well as Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assays. Results showed significant antibacterial activity, especially in the ethanolic extract of X. aethiopica, which demonstrated the highest activity against most pathogens. The findings support the ethnomedicinal use of these plants and suggest potential development into alternative antimicrobial agents.