Effectiveness of African herbal preparations against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic review

Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-Kp) poses a significant public health challenge due to limited treatment options and growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The rise in MDR-Kp infections underscores the critical need for new strategies against antibiotic resistance, especially in Afri...

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Main Authors: Rachel A․ A․ Akorful, Karikari Asafo-Adjei, Fleischer C․ N․ Kotey, Eric S․ Donkor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific African
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625001140
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author Rachel A․ A․ Akorful
Karikari Asafo-Adjei
Fleischer C․ N․ Kotey
Eric S․ Donkor
author_facet Rachel A․ A․ Akorful
Karikari Asafo-Adjei
Fleischer C․ N․ Kotey
Eric S․ Donkor
author_sort Rachel A․ A․ Akorful
collection DOAJ
description Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-Kp) poses a significant public health challenge due to limited treatment options and growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The rise in MDR-Kp infections underscores the critical need for new strategies against antibiotic resistance, especially in Africa, where AMR is a pressing concern. This systematic review evaluated the antimicrobial activity of herbal preparations against MDR-Kp by assessing parameters such as minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), zone of inhibition, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). A literature search was done following the PRISMA guidelines, and relevant articles from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were included. The search identified 2094 articles, of which 848 were selected for a full assessment and 31 were included. Data extraction included information on plant scientific names, botanical families, plant parts, country of origin, extract types, isolated compounds, and antimicrobial parameters. Of the 124 plants studied, Withania frutescens L., Plumbago zeylanica, Plectranthus glandulosus, Eruca sativa, and Donella welwitschii, emerged as plants that could be further explored for anti-MDR-Kp therapeutics. Further research is needed to explore their mechanisms of action, active compounds, and potential synergies. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern healthcare practices, standardised research methodologies, and clinical validations can advance plant-based therapies. Additionally, conservation efforts are vital to preserve the biodiversity of these medicinal plants, ensuring their availability for future research and therapeutic use, while supporting environmental and public health.
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spelling doaj-art-6e5c1de1650d4324b655cf2a2c4ae3312025-08-20T02:10:50ZengElsevierScientific African2468-22762025-06-0128e0264410.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02644Effectiveness of African herbal preparations against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic reviewRachel A․ A․ Akorful0Karikari Asafo-Adjei1Fleischer C․ N․ Kotey2Eric S․ Donkor3Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, P.O. Box KB 4236, Accra 00233, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, P.O. Box KB 4236, Accra 00233, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, P.O. Box KB 4236, Accra 00233, GhanaCorresponding author.; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, P.O. Box KB 4236, Accra 00233, GhanaMultidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-Kp) poses a significant public health challenge due to limited treatment options and growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The rise in MDR-Kp infections underscores the critical need for new strategies against antibiotic resistance, especially in Africa, where AMR is a pressing concern. This systematic review evaluated the antimicrobial activity of herbal preparations against MDR-Kp by assessing parameters such as minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), zone of inhibition, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). A literature search was done following the PRISMA guidelines, and relevant articles from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were included. The search identified 2094 articles, of which 848 were selected for a full assessment and 31 were included. Data extraction included information on plant scientific names, botanical families, plant parts, country of origin, extract types, isolated compounds, and antimicrobial parameters. Of the 124 plants studied, Withania frutescens L., Plumbago zeylanica, Plectranthus glandulosus, Eruca sativa, and Donella welwitschii, emerged as plants that could be further explored for anti-MDR-Kp therapeutics. Further research is needed to explore their mechanisms of action, active compounds, and potential synergies. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern healthcare practices, standardised research methodologies, and clinical validations can advance plant-based therapies. Additionally, conservation efforts are vital to preserve the biodiversity of these medicinal plants, ensuring their availability for future research and therapeutic use, while supporting environmental and public health.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625001140Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniaeHerbal preparationsAntimicrobial activityMinimum inhibitory concentrationMinimum bactericidal concentrationZone of inhibition
spellingShingle Rachel A․ A․ Akorful
Karikari Asafo-Adjei
Fleischer C․ N․ Kotey
Eric S․ Donkor
Effectiveness of African herbal preparations against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic review
Scientific African
Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Herbal preparations
Antimicrobial activity
Minimum inhibitory concentration
Minimum bactericidal concentration
Zone of inhibition
title Effectiveness of African herbal preparations against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic review
title_full Effectiveness of African herbal preparations against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic review
title_fullStr Effectiveness of African herbal preparations against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of African herbal preparations against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic review
title_short Effectiveness of African herbal preparations against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic review
title_sort effectiveness of african herbal preparations against multidrug resistant klebsiella pneumoniae a systematic review
topic Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Herbal preparations
Antimicrobial activity
Minimum inhibitory concentration
Minimum bactericidal concentration
Zone of inhibition
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625001140
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