Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Effect of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba against Clinically Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Nairobi, Kenya

Acinetobacter baumannii is among the common nosocomial infections microorganisms in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major significant concerns in developing nations due to either over-use or inadequate use of antimicrobial agents. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the potential antimicrobial activity of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba against nosocomial diseases caused by Acinetobacter baumannii. Nepeta cataria and Basella alba leaves were collected from Oldonyo Sabuk National Park and Botanical garden JKUAT respectively. The leaves were dried under shade at room temperature for thirty days. After methanolic and aqueous plant extraction, the percentage yield was determined, and the extracts were subjected to toxicity testing using brine shrimp eggs and preliminary phytochemical screening. The results recorded from this study demonstrated that 70% methanolic extract of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba had greater antimicrobial effect against Acinetobacter baumannii than aqueous extracts. Nepeta cataria extracts showed greater antimicrobial effect than Basella alba extracts. The methanolic plant extracts had MIC values 60 mg/ml when tested against Acinetobacter baumannii. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of various phytochemical constituents from the methanolic and aqueous extraction of Nepeta cataria and Basella alba. The methanolic plant extracts revealed more phytochemicals as compared to aqueous extracts. More phytochemicals were detected from Nepeta cataria than Basella alba plant extracts.