Evaluation of Antibacterial Effect of Cucurbita pepo (Yakten) Extracts on Multi-antibiotic Resistance Bacterial Strains Isolated From Human Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Cucurbita pepo, were used as antimicrobial activity against multi-antibiotic resistance strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Proteus mirabilis) which were isolated biochemically from human urinary tract infections. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was performed by using Kirby-Bauer diffusion. The methanolic extracts of Cucurbita pepo fruit-cortex showed for the first time a high to moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively whereas the aqueus extract showed a moderate effect against Staphylococcus aureus only. Weak antimicrobial activity was seen on Klebsiella pneumonia, and Proteus mirabilis using both extract. Using core fruit methanolic and aqueus extraction showed no effect on any pathogenic bacteria. Whole fruit methanolic extract gave moderate and low antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively. The results concluded that the application of Cucurbita pepo cortex extract against human multiresistant urinary tract pathogens may represents a new source as adjuvant to antibiotics for effective treatment of bacterial urinary tract infections.