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Antimicrobial Efficacy of Selected Herbal Mixtures from Ibadan, Nigeria against Microorganisms Associated with Sexually Transmitted Infections: Phytochemical Analysis and In Vitro Assessment
Naimot Aramide Emiola * , Felicia C. Adesina , Emeka Taye Umezurike , Opeoluwa Adebola Ogundimu
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Federal University Wukari, P.M.B. 1020, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
Abstract:   (8 Views)
Introduction: The global rise of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens exacerbates challenges in treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs), driving the search for alternative therapies. In Ibadan, Nigeria, herbal mixtures are widely used for STIs without scientific validation. This study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of six commercial herbal mixtures against STI-associated pathogens and characterized their phytochemical profiles to assess their therapeutic potential. Methods: Six commercial herbal preparations (A–F) traditionally used for STIs were tested against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae using agar well diffusion assays, with standard antimicrobials as controls. Qualitative and quantitative spectrophotometric and titrimetric assays characterized their primary phytochemical constituents. Results: Most mixtures showed no antimicrobial activity. Only Mixture A exhibited concentration-dependent activity exclusively against E. coli, with zones of inhibition increasing from 14.5 mm at 50% (v/v) to 19.0 mm at 100% (v/v). No mixture inhibited C. albicans, K. pneumoniae, or the multidrug-resistant S. aureus. Standard antibiotics remained highly active against most isolates. Phytochemical profiling detected tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, and steroids in varying concentrations, with flavonoids and tannins being most abundant, whereas chalcones were consistently below detection limits. Conclusion: The tested herbal mixtures demonstrated limited broad-spectrum efficacy, failing to validate manufacturers' claims. While current formulations are not promising alternative therapies, Mixture A warrants further research to isolate its active compounds, optimize formulations, and validate safety in vivo. These findings underscore the critical need for rigorous scientific evaluation and stronger regulatory oversight of traditional remedies.
Keywords: Sexually transmitted infections, Plant extracts, Phytochemicals, Drug resistance, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae
     
Type of Study: Original article | Subject: Infectious diseases and public health
Received: 2023/11/22 | Accepted: 2026/02/21
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Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.