ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEEDS EXTRACT ON SALMONELLA SPECIES AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract

Medicinal plants contain active ingredients with therapeutic values. Helianthus annuus L (Asteraceae) commonly referred to as “sunflower” has been reportedly used in managing and treating some ailments over the years. This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial effects of the crude extracts of Helianthus annuus seeds on Salmonella spp and Eschericha coli. The phytochemical screening of the methanolic and ethanolic crude extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and phenols. The effect of the crude extracts against the test organisms ranges from 7.33±0.67 mm to 25.67±0.33 mm at concentrations ranging from 60 mg/ml to 480 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts ranges from 0.07±0.03 mg/ml to 2.40±0.06 mg/ml. The minimum bactericidal concentration of the extracts ranges from 0.48±0.01 mg/ml to 2.40±0.12 mg/ml. The acute toxicity study revealed LD50>2000 mg/kg. The sub acute toxicity study showed that there was a significant decrease in Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase and Alanine phosphatase levels in most of the treated groups compared to the control group. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced compared to the control while a significant increase in high density lipoprotein was observed in the treatment groups. The serum biochemical protein components were comparable to the control. The result of the haematological study revealed that mean cell volume, haemoglobin and packed cell volume levels were significantly increased in most of the treated groups compared to the control group. There were no features of acute or chronic damage by the extracts on the hepatic and renal tissues. The in vivo antibacterial effect of the extracts revealed decrease in total bacteria load in treated rats. Therefore, H. annus seeds extracts possess antibacterial effects against Salmonella spp and E.coli and is considered to be relatively safe. Further studies should be carried out to identify the exact active compound or compounds that possess bactericidal activity. There is need to establish the validity and mechanism of action of the hepato-protective effect of H.annuus seed extracts inferred in this study.