Antimicrobial properties of Catha edulis (Miraa) against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens, an in-vitro experimental study

The increasing risk of the emergence of antimicrobial resistance can be addressed using plant-based botanicals as alternatives to antibiotics. In this in vitro study, the antimicrobial properties of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Catha edulis (Miraa) were tested on select pathogenic bacteria and fungi using the agar well diffusion method. The aqueous Miraa extracts at 1000 mg/ml, 100 mg. ml, and 10 mg/ml concentrations significantly inhibited the growth of all bacterial pathogens except E. coli but did not have an effect on C. albicans. The largest zones of inhibition for the aqueous extracts were observed at 1000 mg/ml against S. pneumoniae (28.41 mm), S. pyogenes (24.27 mm), and MRSA (21.86 mm). The largest zones of inhibition for the methanolic extracts were at 1000 mg/ml against S. pneumoniae (26.75 mm), S. pyogenes (25.38 mm), and S. aureus (19.71 mm). Thus, crude Miraa extracts have significant antimicrobial effects in vitro against the tested microorganisms.