EXPLORING THE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF GUIERA SENEGALENSIS ROOTS ON CLINICAL PATHOGENS

Guiera senegalensis, a member of the Combretaceae family, is a widely recognized medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment and management of various ailments. Predominantly found in the savannah regions of West and Central Africa—including countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Chad, and Ghana—this plant plays an important role in ethnomedicine. It typically appears as a shrub or small tree, ranging between 3 to 5 meters in height depending on environmental conditions. Morphologically, G. senegalensis is characterized by a grey to brown bark with knotted branches and oval, grey-green leaves that are oppositely or sub-oppositely arranged on the stem. The leaves measure approximately 3 to 5 cm in length and 1.5 to 3 cm in breadth. The pharmacological importance of Guiera senegalensis has prompted increasing scientific interest in its phytochemical properties and biological activities. This study specifically explores the antibacterial potential of root extracts from Guiera senegalensis against selected clinical isolates. Given the rise in antibiotic resistance, the search for plant-derived antimicrobial agents has become crucial. By evaluating the antibacterial efficacy of this plant’s root extracts, the study contributes to ongoing efforts to discover effective, natural alternatives to synthetic antibiotics, especially in regions with limited access to modern healthcare solutions.