Preclinical Effects of Ethiopian Medicinal Plants against Neisseria gonorrheae Clinical Isolates and Standard Strain

Abstract

Drug-resistant gonorrhea and the absence of a gonococcal immunization have prompted a renewed emphasis on medicinal plants as the main source of innovative treatments. In Ethiopia, gonorrhea has been treated using medicinal plants such as Phytolacca dodecandra, Ranunculus multifidus, Clematis longicauda, and Impatiens ethiopica. However, these plants^’ ability to combat gonococci hasn't been assessed. The purpose of this investigation was to confirm the in vitro antigonococcal properties and examine the phytochemical constituents of these plants. A lab-based investigation was conducted. The dry, coarsely crushed plant samples were extracted by maceration with 80 percent methanol. Standard procedures were used to perform phytochemical screening of the crude extracts. The anti-gonococcal activity test was performed employing the agar well-diffusion method on gonococcal agar at extract concentrations of 200, 100, and 50 mg/ml. The standard treatment used was ceftriaxone 0.05 mg/disc. Using the broth dilution method, the minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations of the crude extract were ascertained. The plants contain secondary metabolites like terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and steroids. P. dodecandra roots showed promising anti-gonococcal activity against Neisseria gonorrheae clinical isolate-03 at a dose of 200 mg/ml, with the largest growth zone of inhibition (21.67 mm). The maximum concentration of all the plant extracts demonstrated remarkable growth inhibition in comparison to the placebo control. The methanolic extracts from the experimental plants have an MIC range of 6.125 to 100 mg/ml. The results showed that the MBC ranged from 25 to 200 mg/ml. The investigated herbs exhibited anti-gonococcal effects. Thus, thorough animal and in vitro experiments are required to ascertain the phytotherapeutic benefits of these plants in treating gonorrhea.