Abstract:
The emerging upsurge in the rate of resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics and the high cost of orthodox medical treatment underpinned the need for medicinal plant as potential alternative therapy. This study aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity of sunflower seed extract in the treatment of diarrhea. Ethanol and aqueous seed crude extract were screened for antibacterial activity in-vitro against Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella sonnei. Prior to the screening, plant phytochemical screening was conducted using standard methods. The antibacterial activity was carried out using agar well diffusion method and compared to the standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin. The minimum bactericidal concentration was determined by plating out from microtiter plates with no visible growth. The results of phytochemical screening reveal the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycoside, anthraquinones and resins from prepared crude extract of sunflower. The ethanolic extract had antibacterial activity against the tests organisms with diameter zone of inhibition range from 31mm at 15.63mg/ml. This provides evidence for its usage as an alternative remedy for the treatment of diarrhea caused by Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella sonnei.
