Evaluation of some medicinal plants for anti-tuberculosis activity from Adamawa state, Nigeria

Tuberculosis kills approximately two million people annually. This study aimed at evaluating some selected medicinal parts that are used traditionally in Adamawa State, to treat tuberculosis and related symptoms against a microorganism that causes respiratory ailments. In this investigation, for new anti-tuberculosis lead molecules, ten medicinal plants species were selected and investigated for antimycobacterial activities following report of their therapeutic use in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. The stem-bark of the plants was extracted with methanol using soxhlet extractor. The crude extracts were screened for antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the broth microdilution method. The extract of Anogeisus leiocarpus showed strong activity at 0.312 mg/mL followed by Boswellia dalzielii with an activity of 0.625 mg/mL. Extracts of Acacia tortilis, Bombax constantum, Ceiba pentandra and Fiscus platyphylla showed activity at 1.25 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL and 5.0 mg/mL, respectively. However, the extracts of Echinaceae angustifolia, Fiscus trichopoda, Fiscus sycomorus and Isoberlinia doka did not exhibit any significant antimycobacterial activity. The results from this study indicated that these six plants are viable potential sources of products active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This report also demonstrated the efficacy of Nigerian medicinal plants as potential agents in treatment/management of tuberculosis and related symptoms. The results have also validated traditional knowledge from the local people regarding the use of these plants to treat tuberculosis. Therefore, the six plants have potential to be developed on new anti- tuberculosis drugs.