Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The aim of this work was to identify the main phytocompounds and to assess the antimycobacterial activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves and stems of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Saba senegalensis with a view to proving or disproving their use in the treatment of tuberculosis. Evaluation of the antimycobacterial activity showed that the aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus leaves exhibited activity against two Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains used. This activity could be justified by the presence of polyphenols and alkaloids identified by UPLC-MS analysis. Organ extracts from the two plants identified polyphenols (coumarins, flavonoids, flavonols and quercetin) and alkaloids (hordenine, caffeine and nicotine) with recognised pharmacological properties. Some plants, such as A. leiocarpus could be used to treat tuberculosis. A study of the toxicity of the aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus leaves will be carried out with a view to producing a drug for treating tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is one of the main public health problems worldwide. Nearly one-third of the global population, i.e. two billion people, are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and accordingly at risk of developing the disease. More than nine million people develop active TB every year and about two million die. More than 90% of global TB cases and deaths occur in the developing world, where 75% of cases are in the most economically productive age group (15-54 years). At every outpatient clinic, hospitals and health amenities, together in the public and private sectors, all patients have to to be thoroughly screened for cough by health officers manning the health facilities. In addition, within medical colleges and hospitals, in-patients also need to be screened for detection of TB suspects. People with cough for 2 weeks, or more, with or without extra symptoms indicative of TB, should be punctually recognized as pulmonary TB suspects and steps taken to question them to sputum smear microscopy for acid-fast bacilli, for diagnosis of TB.