Antibacterial Effect of Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) and Kendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) Medicinal Plants Against Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Pathogens Isolated from Clinical Samples of Female Patients

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent infections, especially among females, and are commonly caused by pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Proteus species. The rising antibiotic resistance among these pathogens necessitates the exploration of alternative treatments. This study investigates the antibacterial effects of Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) and Kendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), two medicinal plants traditionally used for their therapeutic properties, against UTI pathogens isolated from clinical samples of female patients.

Plant samples were collected from Harli, Barkagaon in the Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, India, and processed to prepare hot water extracts. Urine samples from UTI-infected patients were cultured to isolate the pathogens, which were then identified through morphological examination and biochemical tests. The antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

The antibacterial activity of the plant extracts was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method against E. coli, Klebsiella spp., and Proteus spp. Both Punarnava and Kendu extracts exhibited significant antibacterial activity, with Kendu showing slightly higher efficacy. The results indicate the presence of bioactive compounds in these plants capable of inhibiting the growth of UTI pathogens.

This study highlights the potential of Punarnava and Kendu as alternative or complementary treatments for UTIs, particularly in light of increasing antibiotic resistance. Further research is needed to isolate and characterize the active compounds and evaluate their efficacy in vivo. The findings underscore the importance of exploring traditional medicinal plants for developing new antimicrobial therapies.