Antimicrobial activity of Phyllanthus amarus on some human intestinal facultatively anaerobic flora

Background : Phyllanthus amarus is an economic plant grown in West Africa that has antimicrobial properties Aim : We investigated antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus against some intestinal flora that are facultative anaerobes. Methods : The leaves were washed thoroughly in clean water, and rinsed in sterile distilled water, allowed to dry at room temperature for several days. It was oven dried at 45 O C for about an hour until considered brittle enough to bleed. Final dilutions used were 500 mg/ml, 400 mg/ml, 300 mg/ml, 250 mg/ml and 200 mg/ml. Six intestinal organisms were isolated and identified: K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. coli. P. mirabilis and E. faecalis . Both agar diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to assay antimicrobial activity against the organisms. Results : The result indicated that the growth of the organisms were inhibited at 50 mg/ml of aqueous extract by agar diffusion and broth dilution methods but varied at lower concentration. Phyllanthus amarus showed bacteriostatic action at this concentration because sub-culture yielded growth except on plate of K. pneumoniae . Consumption of cold or hot aqueous herbal preparations can alter microbial balance. The implication of ingestion of cold or hot aqueous herbal preparations against the normal intestinal flora was discussed. Conclusion : P. amarus possesses significant antimicrobial activity against normal intestinal flora. Key words : Phyllanthus amarus , intestine, anaerobes, susceptibility, resistance