Synergistic effect of combined extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Aloe barbadensis enhances anti-microbial activity in-vitro

Abdulazeez A. Abubakar¹, Hassan A. Oladele²* Adewole A. Adejumoke², Fadairo J. Kayode²

¹Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology Kwara State University, Malete- Ilorin  Nigeria.

²Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, Achievers University, Owo Ondo State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author E-mail: hassan4ever2006@yahoo.com, abuazeez1962@yahoo.com; Tel: +2348034538409, +2348053283469

Accepted 21 January, 2014

Abstract

This study was conducted between June and December 2012 in Achievers University, Owo-Nigeria to determine in-vitro antimicrobial activity of combined extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Aloe barbadensis on some clinical bacterial isolates and control organisms. The leaves from both herbs were collected, washed, grinded, filtered and the filtrates dried, weighed re-dried and re-weighed again until the weights were constant. Dried filtrate of each extract was grinded with pestle and mortar into powdery form. One gramme of each powdery extract was dissolved in ten milliliters of sterile distilled water to produce 100mg/ml. Bryophyllum pinnatum extract and Aloe barbadensis extract were mixed together at ratio of 6:4 to prepare various concentrations (10^-1 to 10^-9 mg/ml). of admixed extract. Each prepared concentration was tested on different bacteria isolates and control organisms using punch-hole antimicrobial sensitivity method .Findings  from this study showed that a billionth concentration (mg/ml) of the mixed extract inhibited the growth of all common clinical isolates examined except Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella Pneumoniae that were inhibited at high concentration (10^-3) of the extract. Assessing  the efficacy of the fresh and stored extracts, the results showed no significant difference in the zones of inhibition of the bacteria isolates with respect to varying concentrations of fresh and stored extracts (P>0.05). By comparing the activity of the extract on the test isolates and control organisms there was insignificant variation in the zones of inhibition produced by the organisms (P>0.05). In conclusion, the synergism between the two herbs increased their antimicrobial potentials as a result of  positive interaction emanating from their combination.

Keywords: Synergism, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Aloe barbadensis, anti-bacterial