Antibacterial Activity of Tea Senna Leaf Extracts on Standard Laboratory Bacteria Strains

Abstract

Senna tea is a popular herbal remedy that’s often marketed as a laxative, weight loss aid, and detox method. However, there’s little scientific evidence to support the efficacy of Senna tea for most of these uses aside from treating constipation. The aim of the study is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Senna tea leaves, stems, bark and roots for their ethno medicinal use and their activity on selected bacterial and fungal strains. The antibacterial activity of tea Senna extracts against standardized inoculums of Escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were evaluated using the disk diffusion method. The results were obtained by measuring the clear zones that had formed around the bacterial and fungal growth of the isolates at different concentrations of the tea Senna extract. The results showed that the extract had antifungal activity against Candida albicans with the inhibition zones measuring 18mm and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with inhibition zones measuring 16mm. The study provides useful information and insights into antimicrobial activities on plant extract that can be used in drug development.