Abstract

Datura stramonium (D. stramoniun) is an annual herb of the Solanaceae family which is commonly known as Thorn apple, Jimson weed and locally as ‘Haukata Yaro’ in Hausa, ‘Miniaramuo’ in Igbo and ‘Apikan’ in Yoruba. This study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of Ethanolic and Aqueous extracts of the leaf and root of Datura stramonium, against some selected pathogenic organisms namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The concentrations of the extracts used were between 100mg/ml, 80mg/ml, 60 mg/ml, 40mg/ml and 20mg/ml for each. Antimicrobial activity with Ethanolic leaf extract of Datura stramonium produced inhibitions zone of 21mm and 17mm of 100mg/ml, and 20mg/ml against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a zone of 20mm and 16mm for concentration of 100mg/ml%, and 20mg/ml% against Staphylococcus aureus. The Aqueous leaf extract produced inhibition zone of 21mm and 16mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as 22mm and 18mm against Staphylococcus aureus. Ethanol roots extract produced inhibition zone of 18mm, and 14mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while 22mm and 17mm against Staphylococcus aureus. The Aqueous root extract produced inhibition zone of 21mm, and 19mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as 21mm, and 17mm against Staphylococcus aureus. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Datura stramonium ethanol leaf extract of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was 50mg/ml and 25mg/ml respectively. The MIC of aqueous leaves extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was 50mg/ml. The MIC of ethanol roots extracts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was 12.5mg/ml and 25mg/ml respectively. The MIC for Aqueous roots extract of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 50mg/ml, 12.5mg/ml and Staphylococcus aureus was 25mg/ml. Therefore the demonstration of antimicrobial activity against test organisms is an indication that the plant is a potential source for the production of drugs with a broad spectrum of activity.