Antimicrobial Activities of Selected Fabaceae Plants Found in Northern Nigeria: A Systematic and Critical Review
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Abstract:
Background of study: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global health threat, diminishing the efficacy of existing antibiotics and complicating the management of infectious diseases. Medicinal plants remain an invaluable source of new antimicrobial agents. The Fabaceae family is abundantly represented across Northern Nigeria and forms a cornerstone of ethnomedicine for treating bacterial and fungal infections. However, scientific evidence on their antimicrobial activities remains fragmented.
Aim and scope of paper: This systematic review synthesizes evidence (2018–2025) on the antimicrobial activities of selected Fabaceae species found in Northern Nigeria.
Methods: Using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, AJOL, and SpringerLink. Peer-reviewed experimental studies evaluating antimicrobial activities of Fabaceae plants native to or present in Northern Nigeria were included. Data were narratively synthesized due to methodological heterogeneity.
Results: Thirty eligible studies were identified, covering Parkia biglobosa, Tamarindus indica, Acacia senegal, Acacia nilotica, Prosopis juliflora, Senna alata, Erythrina senegalensis, Tephrosia vogelii, Cassia fistula, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Pterocarpus tinctorius, and Bauhinia species. Extracts especially methanolic and ethanolic showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities, with inhibition zones ranging from 12–30 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between 0.25–4 mg/mL. Some species exhibit exhibits and virulence-attenuating effects.
Conclusion: Fabaceae plants in Northern Nigeria demonstrate substantial antimicrobial potential and warrant deeper investigation for drug development. Future research should focus on bioactive compound isolation, mechanistic elucidation, toxicity assessment, and in vivo validation.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Activity, Fabaceae, Medicinal Plants, Northern Nigeria, Phytochemicals
Copyright (c) 2025 Mujahid Musa, Abubakar Aji
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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