Research Journal of Microbiology1816-4935xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/jm.2014.66.81Combretum micranthum and Guiera senegalensis (Combretaceae)]]>BanfiStefano CarusoEnrico OrlandiViviana BarbieriPaola CavallariSerena ViganoPaolo ClericiPierangelo ChiodaroliLuca 2201492African ethnopharmacology relays on the use of plants as a treatment of a wide spectrum of pathologies. The collaboration with Gruppo Solidarietà Africa (GSA onlus) allowed the selection of plants specifically used in West Africa as a traditional remedy for a number of diseases. Guiera senegalensis and Combretum micranthum (Combretaceae) leaves were selected and studied for the presence of antibacterial compounds. Plant material was sequentially extracted with a series of five solvents with an increasing polarity. Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli C1a and Staphylococcus aureus MSSA (Methicillin sensible S. aureus) (ATCC 25293) was determined for the crude extracts and more purified fractions by means of agar disk and well diffusion assays. Moreover a novel bioautographic method was developed to follow the antibacterial activity throughout the purification steps, at the same time allowing to assess the ongoing fractions purification efficacy. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the most purified and active products were evaluated at the end of the procedure. The ethanolic extract of C. micranthum (Cm4) and the toluene extract from G. senegalensis (Gs2) showed the most relevant antibacterial activity. Two purified fractions, indicated as Cm4-P and Gs2-P, have been isolated from the most active crude extracts and their antibacterial efficacy was further studied against a panel of nine clinically relevant bacterial strains. Cm4-P resulted effective against both Gram positive and Gram negative strains, whereas Gs2-P was found active only against the Gram positive strains at very low concentrations (particularly MIC of 18.7 μg mL-1 and MBC of 75 μg mL-1 against C. difficile and S. aureus).]]>Angeh, J.E., X. Huang, I. Sattler, G.E. Swan, H. Dahse, A. Hartl and J.N. Eloff,2007Combretum imberbe (Combretaceae).]]>1105660Asres, K., F. Bucar, E. Knauder, V. Yardley, H. Kendrick and S.L. Croft,2001In vitro antiprotozoal activity of extract and compounds from the stem bark of Combretum molle.]]>15613617Chika, A. and S.O. Bello,2010Combretum micranthum (Combretaceae) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.]]>1293437Cowan, M.M.,199912564582Cushnie, T.P.T. and A.J. Lamb,200526343356Eloff, J.N.,19986018Eloff, J.N., J.O. Famakin and D.R.P. Katerere,2005Combretum woodii (Combretaceae) leaves.]]>411671171Eloff, J.N., D.R. Katerere and L.J. McGaw,2008119686699Ferrea, G., A. Canessa, F. Sampietro, M. Cruciani, G. Romussi and D. Bassetti,1993In vitro activity of a Combretum micranthum extract against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.]]>21317325Gronhaug, T.E., S. Glaeserud, M. Skogsrud, N. Ballo, S. Bah, D. Diallo and B.S. Paulsen,20082008Karou, D., H.M. Dicko, J. Simpore and A.S. Traore,20054823828Kuete, V., T.K. Tabopda, B. Ngameni, F. Nana, T.E. Tshikalange and B.T. Ngadjui,2010Terminalia superba (Combretaceae).]]>76125131Lee, J.S., Y.J. Heo, J.K. Lee and Y.H. Cho,2005Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14.]]>7343994403Mahmoud, E.H.N. and S.A. Khalid,1997Guiera sengalensis.]]>46793794Martini, N. and J.N. Eloff,1998Combretum erythrophyllum (Combretaceae).]]>62255263Martini, N.D., D.R.P. Katerere and J.N. Eloff,2004Combretum erythrophyllum (Combretaceae).]]>93207212Masoko, P. and J.N. Eloff,2005Terminalia species (Combretaceae) determined by bioautography.]]>414251431Masoko, P. and J.N. Eloff,2006Combretum species (Combretaceae).]]>516251647Masoko, P., J. Picard and J.N. Eloff,2010in vivo toxicity and wound healing activity of selected Combretum and Terminalia (Combretaceae) species extracts.]]>7717Ntchatcho, G., L. Verotta, P. Vita Finzi, G. Zanoni and G. Vidari,2009Combretum bracteatum.]]>416311636Obeidat, M., M. Shatnawi, M. Al-Alawi, E. Al-Zu'bi and H. Al-Dmoor et al.,201275967Rice, L.B.,200912476481Silva, O. and E.T. Gomes,2003Guiera senegalensis with antifungal activity.]]>66447449Simon, J.E., Q. Wu and C. Welch,20112011Suleiman, M.M., L.J. McGaw, V. Naidoo and J.N. Eloff,2010Aspergillus fumigatus.]]>766471Taura, D.W., A.H. Arzai and T.I. Oyeyi,2009Combretum micranthum L.]]>2183185Tshikalange, T.E., J.J.M. Meyer, N. Lall, E. Munoz, R. Sancho, M. Van de Venter and V. Oosthuizen,2008In vitro anti-HIV-1 properties of ethnobotanically selected South African plants used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.]]>119478481Udoh, I.P., C.S. Nworu, C.I. Eleazar, F.N. Onyemelukwe and C.O. Esimone,2012Combretum micranthum G. Don against resistant and sensitive nosocomial isolates.]]>2142146Van Vuuren, S.F. and D. Naidoo,2010130552558Yisa, J.,2009Scoparia dulcis and Nymphaea lotus.]]>339753979Choma, I.M. and E.M. Grzelak,2011121826842691 NCCLS.,20069th Edn.,