Antibacterial Efficacy of Crude Extracts from Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) Leaves Against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae: An In vitro Study

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ABSTRACT

Infectious diseases are the primary concern for all mankind, and despite the discovery of antibiotics, the battle is still eminent due to the rise in antibiotic resistance, posing the need to develop feasible alternatives. Since plants proved to be sources of inspiration for novel drug compounds from their secondary metabolites, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of the crude extracts from the leaves of Tamarindus indica against selected pathogenic bacteria, as the plant is reported to have uncountable uses in traditional medicine. Maceration technique was employed for subsequent extraction of crude extracts using acetone and ethanol as solvents. Antibacterial activity of each crude extract was evaluated at a concentration of 100, 200 and 300 mg/ml through disk diffusion method. Tetracycline at 2.5 mg/ml and 1 ml of Tween 20 were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Through serial dilution starting from 300 to 4.6875 mg/ml, minimum inhibitory concentration was also determined. The findings indicated that both acetone and ethanol crude extract showed antibacterial activity at all concentrations on both S. aureus and K. pneumonia, being significantly different from the negative control (P = 0.00), and insignificantly different from the drug (P > 0.05). However, K. pneumoniae showed more sensitivity to the extracts than S. aureus. The MIC value of LAE on S. aureus and K. pneumoniae were 18.75 and 9.375 mg/ml, respectively, whereas on the LEE, both showed MIC value of 18.75 mg/ml. The outcomes of this study indicated that the leaves have antibacterial properties; however, further study on the mechanism of actions and other related properties is required for the safe use of this plant in relation to the health problems.

Significance of the Study:
This study highlights the potential of Tamarindus indica leaf extracts as a natural alternative against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. By validating traditional medicinal use, it contributes to ethnopharmacological research and drug discovery. The findings may lead to cost-effective, plant-derived antibacterial agents, especially in resource-limited settings. Further research could optimize extraction methods, identify active compounds, and assess clinical applicability, offering a sustainable solution to combat infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Summary of the Study:
The study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of acetone and ethanol extracts from Tamarindus indica leaves against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae using disk diffusion and MIC assays. Both extracts showed significant antibacterial activity, with K. pneumoniae being more sensitive. The acetone extract exhibited lower MIC values (9.375 mg/mL) than ethanol (18.75 mg/mL). Results suggest that tamarind leaves contain bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential, supporting their traditional use. Further research is needed to isolate active constituents and assess mechanisms of action.