Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacterial strains throughout the country limits the effectiveness of currently used drugs and significantly limits treatment, leading to prolonged infections. Thus, the search for newer sources of antibiotics is a national challenge for preoccupied research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and academic schools. However, past records of rapid, widespread and emergence of resistance to newly introduced antibiotics indicates that even newly discovered antibiotics are expected to have short life.
Many plants cultivated in our country possess antibacterial activities and are used for the treatment of different diseases. The use of plants as source of remedies for the treatment of many diseases dated back to prehistory and people of all continents have this old tradition. The search for agents to cure infectious diseases began long before people are aware of the existence of bacteria. These early studies, which used natural substances such as plant extracts proved to be successful.
Samanea saman is globally distributed especially in the tropical region. The parts of the tree were used in curing different diseases. The root decoction is used in hot baths for stomach cancer. It is a traditional remedy for colds, diarrhea, intestinal ailments and stomach ache. The leaf infusion is used as a laxative. A recent study showed that alcoholic extract of the leaves inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Statement of Objectives
The study was conducted to determine the antibacterial activity of the crude aqueous extract of Samanea saman towards Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Specifically it aimed:
1. To prepare crude aqueous extract of Samanea saman leaves
2. To determine the antibacterial activity of the extract using the Agar-Disk Diffusion Method
3. To compare the zone of inhibition of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus...