Original Articles
Yoro Tine, Moussa Diop, Severi
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of extracts of different parts of Zanthoxylum. zanthoxyloides on a large panel of 36 bacteria. The MICs were determined by successive dilution of the extracts in solid MHA medium. The inhibitory activity of the extracts was measured over a concentration range of 78 to 1250 mg/L. The best activity on a broad spectrum of bacteria was obtained with the root extract; it was active on 20 strains with MIC values ranging from 78 to 625 mg/L. The highest antimicrobial properties (MIC=78 mg/L) were observed against Staphylococcus pettenkoferi T28-2, Dermabacter hominis T47A7, Streptococcus pyogenes 13240 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa T4-1. Fruit, leaf and bark extract showed growth inhibition of two strains: Staphylococcus pettenkoferi T28-2 and Dermabacter hominis T47A7. These results demonstrate the presence of antimicrobial molecules in the roots of Z. zanthoxyloides and corroborate their use in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases.