European Journal of Medicinal Plants 11(1): 1-12, 2016, Article no.EJMP.19753 ISSN: 2231-0894, NLM ID: 101583475 SCIENCEDOMAIN international www.sciencedomain.org Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity of (Crassula ovata) Jade Plant on Different Strains of Bacteria Mwangi Denis Muiruri 1* and Wambura Mwangi 1 1Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O.Box 62,000 – 00200 Nairobi, Kenya. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Author MDM designed the study, performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Authors MDM and WM managed the analyses of the study and the literature searches. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/EJMP/2016/19753 Editor(s): (1) Marcello Iriti, Professor of Plant Biology and Pathology, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Milan State University, Italy. Reviewers: (1) Daniela Hanganu, "Iuliu Hatieganu"University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania. (2) Francis O. Shode, Cape Peninsula University of technology, South Africa. (3) Armando Cuéllar Cuéllar, Havana University, Cuba. (4) Armando Zarrelli, University of Naples, Italy. Complete Peer review History: http://sciencedomain.org/review-history/11727 Received 25 th June 2015 th Original Research Article Accepted 24 August 2015 Published 7th October 2015 ABSTRACT The Crassula ovata plant has been used for many years as an ornamental plant, and also as a medicinal plant in some communities like the Khoi of South Africa and in Chinese culture. Locally the plant is being used by homeowners who have it in their vicinity as a remedy for diarrhea and disinfecting wounds. However, the major problem of using this plant is its ineffectiveness to heal wounds and diarrhea in most cases where it is being used. It brings about questions like does the Crassula ovata plants inhibit certain specific microorganisms, or is the concentration of the extract to blame, or the method used to extract the plant. The mode of extraction used in this study involved both aqueous extraction and methanolic extraction, to ensure all plant constituents are extracted for better results. The microorganisms that were tested against the plant extracts are the major day to day sources of diarrhea and wound infection. The plant extracts are used at varying concentrations. The observable results were quantitatively analyzed to see which plant extract and at which concentration causes the most inhibition on the microorganisms. The plant extract with the _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]; Muiruri and Mwangi; EJMP, 11(1): 1-12, 2016; Article no.EJMP.19753 most inhibition was found to be the water extraction at the concentration of × 10 ͤ, and it would be recommended that the Crassula ovata plant be used to the specifications as observed in the study. Keywords: Crassula ovata; phytochemical; antimicrobial; traditional medicine; jade plant. 1. INTRODUCTION plants have to offer, which may involve integrating herbal medicine into conventional Plants have been used as medicines since time healthcare systems, and funding more effective in memorial. Plants having medicinal value are research into possible applications of the plants. widely and successfully used on every continent. This raises important issues, such as regulation In Asian countries, the practice of herbal of traditional healers and ensuring certain medicine is extremely well established and standards are met. documented. As a result, most of the medicinal plants that are internationally recognized come Many plants grown in Kenya have valuable from this region, particularly from China and medicinal properties. Paw paws, for instance, India. For Europe and North America, the use of can be used to treat asthma, rheumatism and herbal medicine is increasing fast, especially for intestinal worms. Lemongrass helps in relieving correcting imbalances such as diabetes caused fever. Sap from the Aloe vera is excellent for by modern diets and lifestyles. Many people now treating burns. These plants, and many others, take medicinal plant products on a daily basis, to are easily grown in home gardens for domestic maintain good health as much as to treat illness. use. Moringa oleifera is another plant with great potential, both in terms of home use and as a In Africa, attitudes towards traditional, herbal source of income. It has high levels of iron, medicines vary strongly mostly due to diversity in calcium and Vitamin A, and can be used to boost cultures and traditions. Another reason for this is the immune system, as well as treat a range of the confusion between herbal medicine and illnesses. It is normally prepared by drying the witchcraft. The use of medicinal plants is leaves and then pounding them into a powder. commonly associated with superstition, and This can then be mixed with flours, or with other therefore rejected by some people in favor of foods such as meat. For HIV/AIDS patients it western medicine. On the other hand, there are offers an excellent source of nutrients which can millions of Africans who prefer traditional help to support their immune system and slow methods of treatment. down the advance of the disease. The valuable medicinal properties contained in Having a selection of different medicinal plant certain plants are not in doubt. In recent years, products can broadens the market and the for example, the Chinese plant Artemisia annua , economy of the region as well. For example, the has become the essential ingredient in a new Mondia whytei processors in Kenya sell the raw generation of anti-malaria drugs. East African roots of the plant, but also produce a powdered countries have adopted the plant and growing it form. This is preferred by hospitals, which use it to supply pharmaceutical manufacturers in to increase patient’s appetite and to increase Europe. The bark of the tree Prunus africana is milk production in nursing mothers. The powder used mostly in making treatments for prostate is also used to make fortified foods for the sick. cancer. Sutherlandia , a native plant of South Other products for sale include Mondia seeds Africa, is being increasingly recognized for its and seedlings. Once products have been value to HIV/AIDS diagnostics and treatment. formulated for sale, gaining official recognition Other African plants, such as the Devil’s Claw and approval from the authorities is valuable. In and the African Geranium, are gaining popularity Kenya, the organization Action for Natural as herbal medicines, particularly in Europe. Medicine (NAMEDO) is working with the National Drug Authority to have its products such as Medicinal plants hence represent an important soaps, creams and oils approved. The opportunity to rural communities in Africa as in organization is also working with the National Kenya, as a source of affordable medicine and Bureau of Standards, so that the products are as a source of income for those who grow the standardized. This makes it much easier to plants. Governments too need to be thinking market the products, for example through clinics about how to promote the benefits that medicinal or supermarkets. 2 Muiruri and Mwangi; EJMP, 11(1): 1-12, 2016; Article no.EJMP.19753 Herbal and conventional doctors are enemies of Under the right conditions, they may produce each other. Each having little respect for the small white or pink star-like flowers in early skills and knowledge of the other. For example, spring. The flowers later develop into small hospitals and clinics can be swamped by people capsules, each of which hold many tiny seeds with relatively minor ailments, some of which [2]. might be treated with herbal remedies. This would allow hospitals to devote more of their 2.2 Ecology and Distribution resources to deal with serious diseases and operations. However, for a government health The Crassula ovata plant is able to maintain ministry to promote or encourage people to use minimum water loss while photosynthesizing herbal medicines normally requires a radical efficiently through Crassulacean Acid Metabolism change in thinking of its people and policy (CAM). Its stomata are closed during the day but implementation. In The Gambia, this process is open at night where Co ₂ is taken in and stored in already underway, with the government working the form of organic crassulacean acids. In to have traditional healers registered in union daytime, these acids are broken down and the and/or associations. This makes it easier for their Co ₂ released is recycled in the photosynthetic practice to be monitored, and to ensure that it is process. This way the plants lose much less in accordance with the national traditional water yet can photosynthesize normally during medicine policy. The policy aims to protect the the daytime hours. However, during extremely patient’s rights, and to introduce standards for dry periods they will not even open their stomata traditional medicine, and to protect the at night, and will re-cycle the Co ₂ within their intellectual property rights of traditional healers. cells. This causes slow metabolism hence little Integrating plant medicine into national policy growth but at the same time keeping the cells involves the health, agriculture, environment and healthy. This is called CAM-idling [3]. trade ministries. In order to ensure farmers are supported in growing the plants. Harvesting from The plants succulent water-storing leaves, stems the wild can be controlled and quality standards and roots give it the ability to survive droughts, introduced for those trading in medicinal plants being grazed on, trampled on or knocked over, and their products. as it is able to root from any piece of its stem, and even a single leaf. Any discarded leaves left 2. LITERATURE REVIEW around the foot of the plant send down roots and grow into new plants [4]. 2.1 Brief Description of Crassula ovata The flowers of Crassula ovata attract wasps, 2.1.1 Scientific classification and morpho- flies, bees, butterflies, and beetles.