Plantes Médicinales & Aromatiques
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Antimicrobial Potential of Ten Common Medicinal Plants used by the Bokis, Cross River State, Nigeria

Anwana ED, Umana EJ and Lennox JA

Evidence of the continuous use of medicinal plants for primary health care is noted amongst the Bokis living within and on the fringes of the Cross River National Park (Okwangwo division). In consonance with their traditional usage the methano-aqueous extracts of ten common medicinal plants used by traditional medicine men in nine communities of the area were assayed for antimicrobial activity. Four bacteria species and one fungus were used as in-vitro test organisms. Gentamicin was used as standard antimicrobial agent for comparative efficacy. Results of the tests using the diameter of zone of inhibition showed that three i.e. Senna alata and Dillenia indica and Grewia megalocarpa of the total plant assayed at a concentration of 2 mg/ml exhibited some level of activity against Staphylococcus aureus only. The antimicrobial property of these plants is indicative of their usefulness in traditional medicines. Hence, knowledge of medicinal plants practice in this region can be an important source for new drug discoveries. Invariably, such knowledge should act as an important feeder in the development of a robust health care policy and service for the region with recognition and active inputs from traditional medicine practitioners.