Antimycobacterial activity of medicinal plants against the causative agent of buruli ulcer: Mycobacterium ulcerans

Abstract

The obtained results further strengthened the exploitation of these extracts as potent hits in the treatment of Buruli ulcer. Meanwhile, further studies are required to fully characterize the bioactive compounds.

Buruli ulcer in Africa: Geographical distribution, ecology, risk factors, diagnosis, and indigenous plant treatment options – A comprehensive review

“…Recently [ 90 ], provided a detailed compilation of traditional plant medicine, including botany and geographical distribution, used to treat BU in Ghana, Benin, and Ivory Coast. Additionally,[ 89 ] collected 27 native plants used to treat BU in Ghana and Cameroon and reported on their antimicrobial effects.…”

“…Several other in vitro antimycobacterial assays such as agar diffusion, radiorespiratory method, and dilution methods, are also employed to characterize potential anti- M. ulcerans natural products [ 93 ]. Moreover, methanolic and aqueous crude extracts of Ficus binjamina, Ficus elastica, Ficus saussureana, and Terminalia superba from Cameroon were screened against M. ulcerans using the resazurin microtiter assay method [ 90 ]. Eleven (11) tested extracts displayed promising anti- M .…”

“…Eleven (11) tested extracts displayed promising anti- M . ulcerans activities with MICs ranging from 62.5 μg/mL to 250 μg/mL, while phytochemical screening revealed also the presence of secondary metabolites such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, glucosides, and saponins [ 90 ]. Thus, there is the possibility that most African plants may possess potent antimycobacterial properties.…”