Antimicrobial evaluation of crude extract of Synclisia scabrida miers (fam: menispermaceae) against some enteric pathogens

Plant parts have been widely used in the treatment of human diseases and the use of herbal medicine is the major form of medicine in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Synclisia scabrida (Miers) is an important medicinal plant that is widely distributed and valued for its vast therapeutic properties. The root bark of Synclisia scabrida (Miers) was collected, air-dried and extracted with ethanol using soxhlet extraction apparatus.. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract and the standard antibiotics were determined by agar dilution method..Preliminary sensitivity test showed that Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis were susceptible to the plant extract. The MIC values of the extract against the organisms ranged from 1.25-2.50 mg/ml. Those of standard drugs ranged from 0.00625-0.0125 μg/ml for ciprofloxacin, 0.0015625-0.006250 μg/ml for levofloxacin and ofloxacin and 0.0015625-0.0031250 μg/ml for pefloxacin. The results of this work support the traditional use of the plant in the treatment of enteric disorders. Keywords: Antimicrobial; Crude extract; Synclisia scabrida Miers; Menispermaceae; Enteric