Rechab S. Odhiambo, Kareru G. Patrick, Kutima L. Helen, Nyagah C. Gathu, Njonge F. Kimani, Wamburu R. Waithaka and Cheruiyot Kipyegon
Prosopis juliflora, a multipurpose dry land tree or shrub introduced to Kenya due to concern about desertification, deforestation and fuelwood shortages, has become invasive, forming dense, impenetrable thickets, associated with unfavorable impacts on human economic activities. It has soothing, astringent, antifungal and antiseptic properties and is commonly used to treat eye conditions, open wounds and dermatological ailments. An assessment of antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of root (REE) and leaves (LEE) of P. juliflora against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (ATCC-25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC-27853) was carried out using paper disc diffusion method. The results of investigation showed that all the extracts had inhibitory effect on the growth of all the isolates. Only chloramphenical, erythromycin and minocycline were effective against all the bacterial strains tested and there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the activity of REE and LEE at the highest concentration compared to the activity of chloramphenical, erythromycin and minocycline. All the bacterial strains exhibited susceptibility to erythromycin and minocycline while Penicillin, methicillin and ampicillin were the least effective antibiotics. Both LEE and REE possess saponins, tannins and alkaloids; phytochemicals whose antimicrobial properties are well documented and therefore could be attributed to the observed antibacterial activity exhibited by these extracts. Results from this study strongly validate use of P. juliflora in the management of bacterial infections.
