Bacterial contamination of orally-consumed crude herbal remedies:A potential source for multi-drug resistant pathogens in man  

作　　者：O.G.Oyero A.O.B.Oyefolu 

机构地区：[1]Microbiology Unit,Department of Biology,The Polytechnic,Ibadan,Oyo State,Nigeria [2]Department of Microbiology,Lagos State University,Lagos State,Nigeria

出　　处：《Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine》2009年第4期41-45,共5页亚太热带医药杂志（英文版）

摘　　要：Objective:The acceptability of herbal remedies for alleviating discomforts and ill-health has become very popular, on the account of the increasing cost of allopathic medicine for personal health maintenance.The observable non-adherence of herbalists to the established World Health Organization(WHO) / National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control(NAFDAC) regulations for the quality control of herbal medicines is an issue for concern.In view of this,34 popular and widely consumed crude herbal remedies in southwestern,Nigeria were screened for compliance with standard limits for bacterial contamination,bacteria flora and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern.Methods:Isolates recovered from samples were identified using the cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics.They were also tested for drug sensitivity using standard procedures. Results:A heavy bacteria load ranging from 3.00×10~3-9.58×10~5 CFU/ML and 1.20×10~5- 5.41×10~5 CFU/ML was observed for water and spirit extracted preparations respectively.The bacteria flora cum contaminants were:Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus cereus,Bacillus subtilis,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus luteus,Lactobacillus plantarum,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Escherichia coli,streptococcus,Shigella, Neisseria,Arthrobacter,Kurthia and Clostridium species.All the isolates were multi-drug resistant(MDR) strains.Conclusion:The crude herbal preparations consumed in Nigeria failed to comply with the internationally recognized standards regarding bacteria load and flora.The presence of MDR pathogens is of greatest concern. It poses a great risk to consumers health and could be a source of introducing MDR organisms into the human population.There is the need for the enforcement of established guidelines to ensure the safety of these preparations.Objective:The acceptability of herbal remedies for alleviating discomforts and ill-health has become very popular, on the account of the increasing cost of allopathic medicine for personal health maintenance.The observable non-adherence of herbalists to the established World Health Organization(WHO) / National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control(NAFDAC) regulations for the quality control of herbal medicines is an issue for concern.In view of this,34 popular and widely consumed crude herbal remedies in southwestern,Nigeria were screened for compliance with standard limits for bacterial contamination,bacteria flora and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern.Methods:Isolates recovered from samples were identified using the cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics.They were also tested for drug sensitivity using standard procedures. Results:A heavy bacteria load ranging from 3.00×10~3-9.58×10~5 CFU/ML and 1.20×10~5- 5.41×10~5 CFU/ML was observed for water and spirit extracted preparations respectively.The bacteria flora cum contaminants were:Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus cereus,Bacillus subtilis,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus luteus,Lactobacillus plantarum,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Escherichia coli,streptococcus,Shigella, Neisseria,Arthrobacter,Kurthia and Clostridium species.All the isolates were multi-drug resistant(MDR) strains.Conclusion:The crude herbal preparations consumed in Nigeria failed to comply with the internationally recognized standards regarding bacteria load and flora.The presence of MDR pathogens is of greatest concern. It poses a great risk to consumers health and could be a source of introducing MDR organisms into the human population.There is the need for the enforcement of established guidelines to ensure the safety of these preparations.

关 键 词：HERBAL REMEDIES BACTERIAL contamination Multi-drug resistant bacteria Antibiotic SUSCEPTIBILITY Quality control 

分 类 号：R284[医药卫生—中药学]