Abstract:

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram negative bacteria commonly found in moist environment. It has ability of forming biofilm, making it very resistant to detergents and antimicrobial agents. These properties make it successful is causing nosocomial infections, mostly immunocompromised patients. Curcuma longa has traditionally been used to treat bacteria skin infections, but its antimicrobial therapeutic effects has not been evaluated in Tanzania.

Methodology: Curcuma long methanolic extract was obtained from powder purchased from Tanganyika local market. The extract was used for in-vitro antimicrobial activity testing against P. aeruginosa isolates using disk diffusion method and broth microdilution test.

Results: The MIC of Curcuma long extract against P. aeruginosa clinical isolates from patients with SSI was 0.05g/ml. All 10 P. aeruginosa isolates were sensitive to Curcuma long extract at a concentration of 0.3g/ml, with the overall mean zone of inhibition of 28±2.13 mm. The overall percentage of sensitivities of 10 P. aeruginosa isolates for standard antimicrobial agents tested were: meropenem 100%, gentamicin 90%, ciprofloxacin 100%, ceftazidime 100% and piperacilin-tazobactum 100%.

Conclusions and recommendations: Curcuma long has excellent antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. It is a promising source useful of antimicrobial agent when high technological methods of extracting active ingredients as well as evaluating toxicological profiles are done to ensure patients’ safety.