Project – Antibacterial activity of aloe vera (Aloe Barbadensis) leaf extract on some selected micro organisms

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the study

The development of dung resistance against conventional medicine has led to people looking for alternative medicine in many countries today (Ingrida, 2012). In some developing countries, plants are the main source of treatment against most diseases. Approximately 20% of the world’s plants have been pharmacologically tested against majority of pathogenic microorganism (Adnan, 2015). This has led to introduction of new antibiotics into the drugs market (Radha, 2015). One of the plants that have gained a lot popularity in medicine is the Aloe spp. belonging to the family Liliaceae (Seyyed, 2015). The gel of Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) is contained in the leaves. It was used to treat stomach ailments, gastrointestinal problems, skin diseases, constipations, radiations injury, inflammatory effect, healing wounds and burns, uclear and diabetes (Johnson, et al., 2012). The gel stimulates cell growth and enhances the restoration of damage skin. It moisturizes the skin because it has a water holding capacity. As a drink, it protects the mucous membrane of the stomach especially when irritated or damaged (Mbajiuka, et al., 2014).

Most of plant species have medicinal value and have been characterized from ancient time, harboring no toxic effects on human body. According to world health organization (WHO), about 80% of people in developing countries still rely on medicinal plants for their primary health care and creating agricultural markets for those economics (chattejee, et al., 2015). Many herbal based medines are emerge possessing wide range of biomedical efficacy with higher treatments effect against inflammation arteriosclerosis, hyperlipemia, bone resumption, osteoporosis and many of them useful against in cardiovascular ailment, immune deficiency, central nervous system disorders and cancer (Jin et., 2006; Sajjad, et al., 2015a) and also against different bacterials ( Sajjad, et al., 2015b). Among these medicinal plants Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) got importance because of its curative and therapeutic properties (Radha and Laxmipriya, 2015). Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) is a perennial succulent plant belong to the Liliaceae family (Suleyman and Sema, 2009) that probably originate in northern Africa (Strickland et al., 2004; Akinyele and Odiyi, 2007). Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) is extensively used for the therapeutic possession, such as injury treatments, diabetes, constipation, ulcers, cancers, arthritis and immune system deficiencies etc. (Choi and Chung, 2003). Besides it therapeutic importance Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) component are also used in manufacturing of cosmetics, nutraceuticals and in food industries. Recently many pathogenic bacterial have been reported for resistance to antibiotics (Seddik, et al., 2010), most common resistance strains including gram –positive (Staphylococcus aureus), gram – negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) (El Solh and Alhajhusain, 2009) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Eloff, et al., 2005).

1.2    Statement of the problem

Microbes are becoming more resistance day by day against synthetic medicines. Resistance to antibiotic is on the increase. Synthetic drugs are not only expensive and inadequate for the treatment of disease but also often associated with   adulterations and side effect (Chatterjee, et al., 2015). To combat with the resistance problem, new antimicrobial agents from natural sources or by design and synthesis of new agents that effective, affordable and easily available (Adekunle and Adekule, 2009). In recent years, the antimicrobial properties of the medicinal plants are being increasingly reported from different parts of the world (Sekar,  et al., 2009; Sahu,  et al., 2011; Jothi, 2013).therefore, researchers have turned their attention to medicinal plants to develop better drugs against microbial infections (Jothi, et al.,2014). Hence in the present investigation, antibacterial efficacy of Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) leaf will be   analyses against some select bacterial which are staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. And fungal test organisms Aspergillus niger. Therefore, present study seeks to determine the antibacterial effect of Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) leaf extract against some pathogenic bacteria.

1.3    Aim of the study

The aim of the study is to determine the antibacterial activity of Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) leaf extract on some microorganism.

1.3.1 Objectives of the study

The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. Determine the phytochemical constituents of the leaf extract of Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) ). in
2. To test for antibacterial activity of Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis)  leaf extract on Bacillus subtillus  and Streptooccus aureus
3. To test for antifungal activity of Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) leaf extract on Aspergillus niger and Candida

1.4    Significance of the study

 Aloe vera  (aloe barbadensis) is a common plant richly abundant in our environments. They are used locally in treatment of various infections such as treat stomach ailments, gastro-intestinal problems, skin diseases, constipations, radiation injury, inflammatory effect, healing wound and bones, ulcer and diabetes. The leaf extract of the plants will be investigated for their antibacterial activity and will be investigated as a scientific assessments of the claim of therapeutic potential. If found effectives against Bacillus subtillus and B. subtilis it can be of great significances in the treatment of various microbial infection with these bacteria.

Project – Antibacterial activity of aloe vera (Aloe Barbadensis) leaf extract on some selected micro organisms