Title : Disruption of microbial cell morphology by extracts from Buxus macowanii
Abstract:
Microbial infections are a major cause of death all around the world. This is exacerbated to the rising costs of primary healthcare and its inaccessibility especially in developing countries. Moreover, there has been an increase in microbial strains that have reduced susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs. Research on the antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants, which may address these challenges, has become more important as they may present cheaper alternatives and different mechanisms of action. This study evaluated the antimicrobial properties of a methanolic extract from the leaves and twigs of Buxus macowanii in order to assess its potential for use in the development of novel antimicrobial drugs. Antimicrobial activity of the extract was evaluated using the broth microdilution method and electron microscopy. The detection of antimicrobial compounds was performed using the GCMS. The extract showed antimicrobial activity against all the microbial species used. Microscopic examination of the cells of B. cereus treated with Buxus macowanii showed some changes in morphology such as damage of the cell wall, swelling of the cells and incomplete cell division that eventually resulted in cell death. An antimicrobial compound, neophytadiene was detected in the extract. The results of the present study indicate that B. macowanii has antimicrobial activity due to morphological disruptions of the bacterial cell wall.
