Phytochemical analysis of Garcinia kola and it's invitro effects on klebsiella pneumoniae strains

isolated from st Veronica hospital Biaka university.

Chapter 1

Introduction.

1.1 Background

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common pathogen responsible for various infections, including pneumonia,
urinary tract infections, and septicemia. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in K. pneumoniae is a
growing concern in healthcare settings worldwide. Natural products, such as plant extracts, have gained
attention as potential sources of novel antimicrobial agents. One plant of interest in this context is
Garcinia kola, also known as bitter kola. Garcinia kola is a tropical tree native to West Africa and has
been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. Studies have shown that extracts from Garcinia kola
possess antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogens, including K. pneumoniae (Okwu et al., 2008).
Further research on the antimicrobial potential of Garcinia kola compounds could lead to the
development of new therapeutic agents to combat drug-resistant infections.

Traditional medicines produced from plants have become more important as alternative medicines in
treating a broad spectrum of ailments, and researchers are continuing to pay attention to the use of
plants materials in the treatment of many afflictions (Mahmoud and Abba et Al.,)( Dogara and Labaran,
et Al., ). The majority of the developing world believes that this plants based product are safer and more
cost-effective (A Dogara and S.W. Hamad et Al.,). With the emergence of new diseases and
microorganism resistance, the usage of these plants products in developed, developing, and
underdeveloped countries (S. Kayfi and M.D. Abdulrahman et Al.,) Ethnopharmacology and medication
discovery employing plants-based products are still in critical healthcare delivery worldwide. Garcinia
kola (Bitter kola) is regarded as a miracle plant because every component has medicinal use.The use of
herbs has a long history in health care delivery in Africa. According to World Health Organization (W.H.O
2012), the evolving public health threat of antimicrobial resistance is driven by both appropriate uses of
anti-infective medicines. The scientific evaluation of traditional drugs of plant seed origin and screening
of more effective and safe antimicrobial agents has continued to gain medicinal importance stated by
(Biswas et Al., 2012). The medicinal values of many of these seed cannot be over emphasized in the light
of oral traditions and folklores from the distance past that have continued to extol the healing virtues of
these seeds and their extracts according to (Amabeoku and Kinyua et Al., 2010). Medicinal plants can be
regard as the richest bioresource of drug of modern medicine, folks medicine and chemical entities or
templates for synthetic drugs by (Joshua and Takudzwa et Al., 2013). The discovery of medically
important metabolites in common and abundant plant would minimize over exploitation of well known,
rare medicinal plants.Plant seeds contain bioactive components such as flavonoids, glycosides, saponins
and tannins according to (Tiwari et al., 2011), which possess medicinal properties that are harnessed for
the treatment of different diseases stated by (Prohp et al., 2009).

Dietary plant seeds with proven antioxidant properties may function as a direct anti-radical chain
breaker of free radical propagation, interaction with transition metals and inhibition of Reactive Oxygen
Species (ROS) generating enzymes postulated by (Hassan et al.,2007). The use of plants for medicinal
purposes continues to this day, usually in the form of traditional medicine, which is now recognized by
the World Health Organization as a building block for primary health care. Well-known examples of
drugs with plant origins includes aspirin, atropine, digoxin, ephedrine, morphine, quinine, reserpine,
vincristine and vinblastine, as well as several plant steroidal sapogenins which serve as semi-synthetic
precursors to the steroidal drugs according to (Lim 2012)

Garcinia kola belongs to the Garcinia genus of the Clusiaceae family and Malpighiales order. It contains
more than 180 members all over the globe. It is found all over Asia and in tropical African countries. It
has been traditionally used for various health benefits, including its antimicrobial properties.
Phytochemical analysis of Garcinia kola has revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as
flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins, which are known to have antimicrobial properties, anti
oxidants properties just to name a few (Abulrahman et Al., 2022).

This study therefore focused on the bioactive potentials of the extract from the plant on some
microorganisms.

1.2. Problem statement

The emergency of antibiotics resistance strains especially on klebsellia pneumonia has impose a
significant threat or challenge in the health care sector of Cameroon and in the general population of
Cameroon this as lead to an increase in the health care cost as well as an increase in the mortality rate
of those affected with the pathogen in Cameroon thus the aim of this study is to analysis the
phytochemicals constituent of Garcinia kola and it's invitro effects on klebsiella pneumoniae strains
which could be an alternative means of solving the problem of antibacterial resistance in Cameroon.

1.3. Significance of study

1. Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance: The research topic is significant as it addresses the urgent global
issue of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in the context of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. By
exploring the antimicrobial properties of Garcinia kola, this study may provide insights into novel
treatment options that could help combat antibiotic-resistant infections caused by Klebsiella
pneumoniae.

2. Natural Product Discovery: Investigating the phytochemical composition of Garcinia kola and its
effects on Klebsiella pneumoniae strains can lead to the discovery of new bioactive compounds with
antimicrobial properties. Natural products have been a valuable source of novel antimicrobial agents,
and this research could contribute to expanding the arsenal of natural-based treatments for bacterial
infections.
3. Promoting Sustainable Healthcare Practices: Utilizing plant-derived compounds like those found in
Garcinia kola for their antimicrobial effects aligns with the growing interest in sustainable and eco-
friendly healthcare practices. By exploring the natural products as alternatives to conventional
antibiotics, this research may support the development of sustainable treatment options that are less
likely to contribute to the development of further antimicrobial resistance.

1.4. Research question

1. What is the antimicrobial effect of Garcinia kola on klepsellia?

2. What are the secondary metabolite present in Garcinia kola?

3. What is the combined effect of Garcinia kola with some commercial antibiotics like amoxicillin,
ampicillin?

1.5. General objective

To evaluate the phytochemical constituents of Garcinia kola and it's invitro effects on klebsiella
pneumoniae strains.

1.5.1. Specific objectives

To investigate the phytochemical constituents present in Garcinia kola (bitter kola) .

2) Determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and maximum bactericidal concentration
(MBC) of Garcinia kola extracts on klebsiella pneumoniae strains .

3). Evaluate the combine effects Garcinia kola extracts with conventional antibiotics commonly used to
treat klebsiella pneumoniae infections.

1.6. Rationale

The rationale for conducting a phytochemical analysis of Garcinia kola and studying its in vitro effects on
Klebsiella pneumoniae strains lies in the potential of natural products to serve as sources of novel
antimicrobial agents. Given the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in K. pneumoniae and
the limited efficacy of conventional antibiotics, there is a critical need to explore alternative treatment
options. Phytochemical analysis of Garcinia kola can help identify the bioactive compounds present in
the plant that may exhibit antimicrobial properties.(Okwu, D. E., Iroabuchi, F., & Okoronkwo, M. (2008).
Evaluation of the phytochemical composition of Garcinia kola seed.

1.7. Limitation of the study

This research work focuses on in vitro experiment and it may not fully represent real world conditions.

The study did not explore long term effects

1.8. Definition of terms

Antibiotics resistance:1. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC): The minimum inhibitory
concentration is the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent (such as an antibiotic or
disinfectant) that inhibits the visible growth of a microorganism in a standardized test. It is used to
determine the effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent against a specific microorganism.

2. Phytochemicals: Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that have
biological activity and potential health benefits. These compounds are not essential nutrients but may
have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, or other beneficial effects on human health.

3. Maximum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC): The maximum bactericidal concentration is the highest
concentration of an antimicrobial agent that kills a specific microorganism. It is determined by
performing a test similar to the MIC test but with higher concentrations of the antimicrobial agent to
assess its bactericidal activity.

4. Antibiotic Resistance: Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to survive
exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or inhibit their growth. This can happen through
genetic mutations or the acquisition of resistance genes, leading to the reduced effectiveness of
antibiotics in treating bacterial infections.