In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of Mallotus oppositifolium decoction leaf extracts and fractions

In order to verify the in vitro antimicrobial properties of Mallotus oppositifolium (Euphorbiaceae), the qualitative phytochemical screening and the antimicrobial activities on Shigella dysenteriae A2, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphyllococcus aureus and Candida albicans strains of the aqueous decoction (DEMO) hexane (HEMO) and methanol (MEMO) fractions of leaves were assessed. The screening was performed using colorimetric methods. The antimicrobial activity was carried out using disc diffusion assays. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by the dilution methods. The screening revealed the presence of metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins, lipids, carbohydrates, mucilages, proteins, triterpens and steroids. DEMO, HEMO, MEMO showed a concentration-dependent activity against Shigella dysenteriae A2 and Salmonella typhi, with inhibition zone ranging from 9.44±0.44 to 19.00±0.24 mm, 8.94±0.05 to 20.03±0.17 mm and 8.13±0.17 to 16.76±0.11 mm respectively. The MIC showed ranges from 0.25 to 1.00 mg.mL-1, 0.20 to 0.50 mg.mL-1 and 1.00 to 3.00 mg.mL-1, while the MBC ranged from 1.00 to 5.00 mg.mL-1, 0.50 to 1.00 and 3.00 to 10.00 mg.mL-1 respectively. The leaves decoction and fractions activity on the two strains showed promising activities to justify the use of the plant against diarrhoea in folk medicine.Keywords: Folk medicine, phytochemical analysis, Mallotus oppositifolium diarrhea, antimicrobial

Traditional Medicine: Past, present and future research and development prospects and integration in the National Health System of Cameroon

Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being. In the last decade traditional medicine has become very popular in Cameroon, partly due to the long unsustainable economic situation in the country. The high cost of drugs and increase in drug resistance to common diseases like malaria, bacteria infections and other sexually transmitted diseases has caused the therapeutic approach to alternative traditional medicine as an option for concerted search for new chemical entities (NCE). The World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with the Cameroon Government has put in place a strategic platform for the practice and development of TM in Cameroon. This platform aims at harmonizing the traditional medicine practice in the country, create a synergy between TM and modern medicine and to institutionalize a more harmonized integrated TM practices by the year 2012 in Cameroon. An overview of the practice of TM past, present and future perspectives that underpins the role in sustainable poverty alleviation has been discussed. This study gives an insight into the  strategic plan and road map set up by the Government of Cameroon for the organisational framework and research platform for the practice and development of TM, and the global partnership involving the management of TM in the country.Key words: Tradttional medicine, Cameroon