Activities of Datura stramonium Extracts against Clinical Pathogens

Aim: The antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic extracts of D. Stramonium pulp, seed and leaf against some medically important pathogenic microorganisms were studied.

Methodology: The antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic extracts of D. Stramonium pulp, seed and leaf were assessed on Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria).

Results: The highest percentage recovery at 50% ethanolic extract of leaf was 5.6±0.1 and lowest in Pulp with 3.9±0.1. The 50% ethanolic extracts showed significant activities against tested pathogens more than the 75% ethanolic extracts which, may be due to the effect of heat generated by water bath during extraction process. The plant extracts exerted highest zones of inhibition in pulp and seed extracts against P. aeruginosa with 21±1.0 and 17±2.0 respectively and least in K. pneumoniae with 10±0.5 from seed extract. The antimicrobial activities observed in this study were due to the presence of certain phytochemials that have bactericidal or inhibitory effects on test organisms. These phytochemicals include alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, phenol and glycosides.

Conclusion: D. stramonium extracts revealed very promising results with health-promoting potentials that could be applied in the treatment of ailments caused by these pathogens.