Antimicrobial Properties of Catha edulis (Miraa) against Select Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens, an in-vitro Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: The increasing risk of emergence of antimicrobial resistance can be addressed by discovering alternatives to antibiotics such as plant-based botanicals. In the present study, the antimicrobial properties of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Catha edulis (Miraa) were tested on select pathogenic bacteria and fungi.Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted in-vitro using the agar well diffusion method. The aqueous and methanolic extracts were dissolved in water to form 1000 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, and 10 mg/ml doses. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done in appropriate culture media and conditions. Diameters of zones of inhibition were obtained, their means calculated, and t-tests applied to test significance of differences between means. Results: The aqueous Miraa extracts at all three concentrations significantly inhibited the growth of all bacterial pathogens except E. coli but did not have an effect on C. albicans. The largest zones of inhibition for the aqueous extracts were observed at 1000 mg/ml against S. pneumoniae (28.41 mm), S. pyogenes ATCC 19615 (24.27 mm), MRSA (21.86 mm), and S. aureus clinical isolate (20.38 mm). Similarly, the largest zones of inhibition for the methanolic extracts were at 1000 mg/ml against S. pneumoniae clinical isolate (26.75 mm), S. pyogenes ATCC 19615 (25.38 mm), S. aureus clinical isolate (19.71 mm), and MRSA ATCC 43300 (16.38 mm).Conclusions: Crude Miraa extracts have significant antimicrobial effects in vitro against the tested microorganisms. Further studies on Miraa extracts to identify the active phytochemicals and investigate their therapeutic effects in-vivo in animal models are indicated.

Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats

“…evaluated the antimicrobial properties of the aqueous twig and leaf extracts of Catha edulis from Ithanja village in Meru County against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans and reported that all the tested concentrations significantly inhibited the growth of all bacterial pathogens except Escherichia coli and was ineffective against Candida albicans. 14 Siddiqui et al . evaluated the antibacterial and anti-acanthamoebic properties of the crude methanolic leaf and shoot extracts of Catha edulis procured from a Somali shop on Edgware Road, London, UK.…”

“… 7 Ethnopharmacological, toxicological, and antimicrobial data on Catha edulis is limited. 3 , 14 – 17 In Kenya, some of the ethnopharmacological uses of Catha edulis that have been documented include; treatment of helminthiasis, toothache, asthma, erectile dysfunction, general body pain, gonorrhoea, heartburn, influenza, pneumonia, stomach upset, coughing, diarrhoea, and fatigue. 17 To the best of our knowledge, this study is among a few to report on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis leaves consumed by the Mbeere South community of Embu County in Kenya.…”

Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats

“…7 Ethnopharmacological, toxicological, and antimicrobial data on Catha edulis is limited. 3,[14][15][16][17] In Kenya, some of the ethnopharmacological uses of Catha edulis that have been documented include; treatment of helminthiasis, toothache, asthma, erectile dysfunction, general body pain, gonorrhoea, heartburn, influenza, pneumonia, stomach upset, coughing, diarrhoea, and fatigue. 17 To the best of our knowledge, this study is among a few to report on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis leaves consumed by the Mbeere South community of Embu County in Kenya.…”