Antibacterial Activity of Moringa oleifera Extracts on Bacterial Isolates from Clinical Specimens in a Specialist Hospital, Sokoto
Sr No:
Page No:
1-8
Language:
English
Authors:
Malami, Hafsat, Dogondaji*, Nura Muhammad Bunza, Umar, Asiya, Imam, Muhammad, Kabiru, Tanko Nuhu, Muhammad, Yazid, Bukkuyum, Sani, Hassan, Tambari, Muhammad, Bello and Mikaili, Mainasara, Balkisu
Received:
2026-02-22
Accepted:
2026-03-29
Published Date:
2026-04-11
Abstract:
Background: The rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria
necessitates the exploration of alternative therapeutic agents from medicinal plants. Moringa
oleifera, widely recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties, represents a potential
source of novel antibacterial compounds.
Objective: This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of
aqueous and ethanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves, seeds, and roots against clinical
bacterial isolates.
Methods: We collected clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia
coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi from the Specialist Hospital in Sokoto.
We prepared aqueous and ethanol extracts of M. oleifera leaves, seeds, and roots and screened
them for phytochemical constituents. We evaluated antibacterial activity using the agar well
diffusion method and determined minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum
bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) by broth dilution. We compared the extract's activity with
that of ciprofloxacin, a standard antibiotic.
Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins,
saponins, phenols, glycosides, steroids, and carbohydrates, with distribution varying across
plant parts and solvents. Ethanol extracts demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity than
aqueous extracts. The seed ethanol extract produced the highest zones of inhibition against E.
coli (25 mm) and S. aureus (25 mm). In comparison, the root ethanol extract showed strong
activity against S. aureus (22 mm) and S. typhi (21 mm). S. aureus was the most susceptible
organism, while P. aeruginosa exhibited the least susceptibility. MIC values ranged from 15.6
to 125 mg/mL, and MBC values ranged from 31.3 to 500 mg/mL. Statistical analysis revealed
no significant difference in extract activity compared with ciprofloxacin (p = 0.428).
Conclusion: Moringa oleifera extracts exhibit significant antibacterial activity against
clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, supporting their potential as alternative or
complementary therapeutic agents. Seed and root extracts showed particular promise,
warranting further investigation and development.
Keywords:
Moringa oleifera, antibacterial activity, phytochemicals, clinical isolates, minimum inhibitory concentration, antibiotic resistance.