Abstract:
No studies have been conducted, to examine the negative impacts of liquid forms of
local herbal medicine sold in Yola and Jimeta in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Therefore,
this study aimed to assess the potential negative health impacts of these medicines,
by conducting lab experiments to investigate the presence of pathogenic bacteria in
purchased herbal medicine samples. 17 samples were purchased from Yola market
and Jimeta. Standard laboratory experiments were conducted, using Lysogeny Broth
Agar to culture bacteria, numerous selective media to identify different bacterial
species, and bacterial load of the herbal medicine samples were determined, using
serial dilution. The result showed that all samples purchased were contaminated with
bacteria. Out of the 17 samples analyzed, 15 were contaminated with Escherichia
coli, 9 with Salmonella sp., and 4 with Staphylococcus aureus. Half of the samples
from Jimeta had microbial load that exceeded the limit set by WHO and the
European pharmacopoeia, and their microbial load ranged from 6.0x105
cfu/g to
3.4x105
cfu/g. The other half purchased from Jimeta, which did not exceed the limit,
ranged from 1.9x103
cfu/g to 3.1x104
cfu/g. The results showed that, most locally
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prepared herbal medicine in Yola and Jimeta, are likely to be contaminated with
pathogenic microbes. Herbal medicine users are therefore at risk of getting
infections while trying to cure ailments. Regulations on the preparation of liquid
herbal medicine should be implemented, to ensure safety and efficacy of herbal
medicines, as this is a serious public health issue. The public should also be wary of
buying from unlicensed practitioners.
