Antibacterial Potential of Moringa oleifera Extracts against MDR Enterobacteriaceae from Hospitalized Patients in Mardan, Pakistan

Abstract

The escalating resistance of bacterial pathogens to multiple classes of antibiotics poses a major public health threat. This study evaluated the antibacterial potential of Moringa oleifera leaf and seed extracts against multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella typhi isolated from hospitalized patients at Mardan Medical Complex, Pakistan. Methanol and ethanol extracts were prepared from leaves and seeds, and their antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. All extracts demonstrated inhibitory effects against the tested isolates, with methanolic leaf extracts showing the highest antibacterial activity. The crude extracts were further fractionated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the antibacterial activity of individual fractions was evaluated. Several fractions exhibited strong inhibition zones, particularly those derived from methanol leaf extracts. The findings highlight the potential of M. oleifera, especially its leaves, as a natural source of bioactive compounds effective against MDR Enterobacteriaceae. Further phytochemical characterization and in vivo studies are recommended to develop novel plant-based antimicrobial therapies.