ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The antibacterial activities of 18 plants from 
10 different families were investigated for their antimicrobial efficacy, based 
on the traditional uses of these species by Bakola pygmies living in Central 
Africa, especially along the Ngoyang area in Cameroon for the treatment of 
respiratory and tuberculosis-related symptoms. The aim of the study is to test 
the antimicrobial efficacy of these plants against some pathogens associated 
with respiratory disease and to determine if there is any validation for the 
traditional use against Mycobacterium species.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medium polar extracts were prepared in MeOH/DCM (1:1, 
v/v) from the plant parts of each species used traditionally and were assayed 
against pathogens associated with respiratory tract ailments [Staphylococcus 
aureus (ATCC 25923), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883) and Morexella 
cattarhalis (ATCC 14468)] using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 
method. Two additional faster growing Mycobacterium strains [Mycobacterium 
smegmatis (ATCC 23246) and Mycobacterium aurum (NCTC 10437)] were included in 
the assay as predictive test organisms for the more pathogenic strain 
Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
RESULTS: Some plant species, such as Alchornea floribunda, Musanga cecropioides 
(both leaves and stem bark), Tetracera potatoria and Xylopia aethiopica (stem 
bark), were effective in inhibiting Morexella cattarhalis, having MIC values 
between 65 and 250 μg/mL. Some noteworthy antimycobacterial inhibition (MIC≤200 
μg/mL and as low as MIC 6.5 µg/mL) for 54% of the extracts were observed.
CONCLUSION: While moderate activity was shown for pathogens causing respiratory 
tract infections, these plant species seems to be selectively targeting 
Mycobacteria spp. suggesting that the traditional use for treating tuberculosis 
related symptoms may be indeed be accurate.