Antibacterial Activity of Mirabilis jalapa Leaves (Karifuma) Extract Against Bacterial Wound Infection from Patients Attending Rango Health Center

Background: Mirabilis jalapa is a perennial herbaceous bushy plant with several pharmacological activities, such as anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, diuretic and anthelmintic. Wound infections are a major public health concern in Rwanda, with 8% of the general population having difficulties controlling them and 25% of those above 60 years old. Traditional medicine is used to treat many conditions such as chest infections, coughs, snake-bites and burns. Mirabilis jalapa seeds have been reported to be effective against bacteria causing wound infections. Aim: This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of Mirabilis jalapa leaves extract against infected wound bacteria from patients attending Rango Health Center. Methods: Cross sectional study design and maceration method was used in Mirabilis jalapa leaves extraction with Methanol, Ethanol, Diethyl ether and Distilled water as solvents. Results: Different extracts were obtained according to the solvents with different volumes and concentrations. The highest extract volume obtained was Distilled water with 6 ml and the least was Diethyl ether with 2.7 ml. In 71 participants who had wound infection, 42% had a bacterial infection. Among them, 25% had Staphylococcus aureus, 7% had Klebsiella pneumoniae, 6% had Escherichia coli, and 4% had Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Through the agar well diffusion method, Methanol extracts showed the highest inhibition zones while distilled water extracts exhibited the lowest inhibition zones to the isolated bacteria. Conclusion: The study confirms the antibacterial activity of the Mirabilis jalapa leaves extract against infected wound bacteria, with methanol and ethanol being the best solvents. Keywords: Mirabilis jalapa leaves, wound infections, antibacterial activity