Phytochemical composition and antimicrobial efficacy of Nigerian polyherbal formulations against antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms

Microbial infections are prevalent in developing nations such as Nigeria, contributing significantly to poverty and mortality rates. Current therapeutic interventions are increasingly facing resistance from these pathogens. Nevertheless, natural products offer potential solutions to the challenges posed by pathogenic diseases. This study evaluates the methanolic efficacy of two plant extract formulations (BF1 and BF2) at varying concentrations (100 mg/mL, 125 mg/mL, and 150 mg/mL) to assess their antimicrobial activities against selected pathogens and conduct phytochemical screening. The phytochemical analysis identified the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, and terpenoids in both extracts, while tannins and phenolics were absent. Both extract formulations inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with inhibition zones ranging from 7 mm to 21 mm across all concentrations. Also, the growth of Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus flavus was inhibited, with zones ranging from 7 mm to 15 mm. The Kruskal-Wallis' test results indicated significant differences among the groups, with gentamicin demonstrating a notably higher mean rank. Ultimately, the findings suggest that although gentamicin and ketoconazole exhibited superior activity, both plant extract formulations hold promise as potential alternative antimicrobial sources, thereby contributing to the combat against antibiotic resistance.