Abstract

Traditionally Prunus africana stem bark decoctions are used for treating and managing chest pain, malaria, and fever. The present study investigated the antibacterial and antifungal activity of hexane and methanol stem bark extract ofPrunus africana. Disc diffusion assay was used to evaluate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonus aeruginosusATCC 27852, Streptococcus pneumonia, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA), Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 66031, Microsporum gypseum and Trichopyton mentagrophyte. The methanol extracts were active against Trichopyton mentagrophyte, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus andStreptococcus pneumonia at concentrations of 0.039, 0.073, 0.156 and 2.5 mg/ml respectively. The extract of the above plant had no activity againstCryptococcus neoformans ATCC 66031 and Candida albicans ATCC 90028. The antifungal and antibacterial activity of P. africana demonstrated supports the claimed antimicrobial uses of the plant in the traditional medicine and provides scientific prove for their medicinal uses.

Key words: Prunus africana, extracts, antifungal, antibacterial, medicinal plants