Phytomedicinal Studies Of Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Gastro-Intestinal Disorders (Diarrhoea And Stomach Ache), In The Three Districts Of The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

GENERAL ABSTRACT The use of plants for medicinal purposes has involved many plants exhibiting healing powers for many diverse illnesses and circumstances and one of those being diarrhoea. In different areas of the OR Tambo, Ukhahlamba and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa it has been long-established that native plants are the main components of traditional health care systems. The study aimed at identifying and documenting plants frequently used for the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders (diarrhoea and stomach ache), evaluating their efficacy and isolation of active compounds in the crude extracts. Ethnobotanical information of the commonly used plants was collected and documented through the use of questionnaires with traditional healers, herbalists and community members. In the study area, the ethnobotanical data revealed that 51 plant species belonging to 36 families were used in treating diarrhoea and stomach ache. According to the ethnobotanical information, Acacia mearnsii (idywabasi) was the most frequently used plant for treating diarrhoea and was selected for further studies because of its frequent use in most sites within the study area. Four extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and methanol) from the bark of Acacia mearnsii were screened against five Gram-positive bacteria strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus kristinae and Streptococcus faecalis.) and five Gram-negative bacteria strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumonia and Serratia marcescens). The antibacterial activities were determined by minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and bio-autographic methods. The extracts showed various degrees of activity. Ethyl acetate extract showed higher activity against bacterial species used during the antibacterial assay and was further investigated for isolation of active compounds. Bio-autography results showed one compound separated on the TLC with activity against the test organisms Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus cereus. In the future, this study may serve as a foundation for choosing the common, active medicinal plants to use in traditional medicine practices