Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activities of Selected Plant Extracts and Honey against Clinical Isolates

this study is aimed at assessing the in-vitro effect of Aframomum daniellii seed extract, Aloe vera gel, Gongronema Latifolium leaf extract, Monodora myristica seed extract and honey on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. Agar well diffusion method was used for the susceptibility test. The plates were incubated at 37 oC for 24 h. Extracts and diameter zones of inhibition were measured. All test organisms were susceptible to honey and Aloe vera gel, and a combination of both honey and Aloe vera gel. The zones of inhibition produced by Aloe vera gel against S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumonia and C. albica were 10±0.10 mm, 11±2.50 mm, 15±1.70 mm and 35±3.26 mm respectively. For honey, they were 31±0.48 mm, 38±1.10 mm, 10±2.00 and 35±0.50 mm respectively, while for Aloe vera and honey mixture, they were 33±2.55 mm, 42±2.50 mm, 30±4.50 mm and 40±5.50 respectively. Ethanolic extract of A. daniellii showed inhibitory activity against S. aureus (15±0.24 mm), K. pneumonia (20±0.75 mm), C. albicans (13±2.70 mm) while the aqueous extract showed inhibitory activity against S. aureus (10±0.22 mm) and C. albicans (9±0.60 mm). Ethanolic extract of G. Latifolium showed inhibitory activity against S. aureus (9±0.23 mm), E. coli (7±0.55 mm) and K. pneumonia (6±0.09 mm) while the aqueous extract showed inhibitory activity against S. aureus (3±0.15 mm). Ethanolic extract of M. myristica showed activity against S. aureus (12±1.5 mm), K. pneumoniae (10±0.88 mm) and C. albicans (21±3.21 mm). Synergistic action was observed with honey and Aloe vera gel and was significantly different (p<0.05) for all test organism except C. albicans. The zones of inhibition produced by the test substances against all test microorganisms, were significantly different (p<0.05).  This study has demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of natural products and synergistic action between Aloe vera gel and honey, which could prove useful for alternative natural medicine application, in the management of infectious diseases.