Abstract
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)
The human body contains about ten trillion cells and more than 100 trillion microbial organisms. Our health and associated diseases are significantly affected by our microbiome. The types of bacteria that live in the body are determined by what we consume and the method of birth delivery; most of these organisms are housed within the human gut and contribute to the provision of nutrients while preventing the growth of other harmful organisms (Moses, et al., 2014).
When individuals become ill or immune-compromised, they may require certain types of treatment or conventional drugs such as antibiotics. However, the constant misapplication and overuse of antibiotics by patients has led to the rise of microorganisms’ resistance to certain antimicrobial drugs, which jeopardizes the successful treatment of certain infections. This has thus created a multifaceted, international public health conundrum, which is an existential menace to the population of the Republic of South Africa and the world at large (Matsoso, 2015). Therefore, the global trend of antimicrobial resistance should be curtailed, through the implementation of systems and procedures, to minimise the improper antimicrobial consumption among humans, animals and crops (Ndihokubwayo, et al., 2013).
The aim of this in-vitro study was to determine the antimicrobial effect of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi extracts on the growth of Aspergillus species (A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger), Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
This qualitative in-vitro control study was conducted at the Food and Biotechnology Department in conjunction with the Water and Health Research Unit at the University of Johannesburg, Doorfontein Campus, under the supervision of qualified laboratory technicians with requisite permission granted.
This investigation was undertaken by individually preparing fresh fungal spores of Aspergillus species and C. albicans as well as cells of E. coli adjusted to McFarland standards of 0.5. C. albicans, E. coli and the three different Aspergillus species were tested against the herbal extract and the mother tincture of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi on distinct agar plates prepared beforehand. The individual plates labelled with the organisms’ name and the extracts to be tested were then streaked with the respective organisms using sterile swabs and allowed to dry at room temperature for about 5 minutes. Furthermore, the discs impregnated with about 20μL of different concentrations of the herbal extract or the mother tincture of the plant were...