Antimicrobial Properties of the Hydroethanolic Extract of <i>Bauhinia rufescens</i> L. and <i>Euphorbia hirta</i> L., Two Plants of the Traditional Chadian Pharmacopoeia

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of hydroethanol extracts of Bauhinia rufescens L. and Euphorbia hirta L. Methodology and results: The hydroethanol extracts of Bauhinia rufescens L. and Euphorbia hirta L.; two plants of the Chadian traditional pharmacopoeia used in the treatment of infantile diarrhoea and gastroenteritis in adults were submitted to in vitro tests in order to highlight their antibacterial and antifungal properties. The method of microdilution in liquid medium coupled with spreading on agar medium was used for the tests. The microbial strains used consisted of 13 hospital bacterial strains and 6 reference strains including a yeast strain of the Candida albicans ATCC 90028 species. The results obtained confirm the antimicrobial properties of Bauhinia rufescens L. and Euphorbia hirta L. because at 50 mg/ml, they inhibit 100% the growth of gram positive and Gram-negative bacilli tested. On the other hand, for Candida albicans ATCC 90028, it is only the extract of Euphorbia hirta that was active at 50 mg/ml. Conclusion: In view of these results, we can say that these plants have an antibacterial activity and that their use in traditional phytotherapy is justified.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used for Treating Urinary Tract Infections in N’Djamena (Chad)

“…The presence of various bioactive components of medicinal plants is considered to relate to pharmacological activities, which have essential effects in treating mild to severe diseases [5]. Traditional medicine plays an important role in primary healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa particularly in Chad [6]. Traditherapists use recipes and medicinal plants to treat a number of pathologies, including urinary tract infections [7].…”

“…It is in this context that medicinal plants used in the traditional treatment of infections represent an alternative source of new molecules with antimicrobial activity. Herbal medicines represent an alternative in primary health care systems and therefore a promising avenue for the development of improved traditional medicines [6]. The aim of this was to contribute to the knowledge of medicinal plants used in the treatment of urinary tract infections in N'Djaména (Chad), with a view to develop the use of traditional medicines in the treatment the infection of urinary tract.…”