The authors of the paper seek to demonstrate that ole-gum resin methanol extracts from Commiphora molmol and Boswellia papyrifera plants have some anti bacterial activity against S. aureus and MRSA (Abdallah, Khalid and Nazlina). The authors argue that these resin extracts have active compounds of phenols, alkaloids and saponins; especially the methanol extracts. The anti microbial activities of these extracts were compared to those of regular antibiotics against S. aureus and MRSA pathogens. The authors consequently believe that traditional and folk medicine may be an avenue for discovery of new forms of anti microbial therapies. I agree with the authors based on the study methodology, procedure for setting up the cultures and the results obtained.
In performing any experiment, the methodology is crucial to obtaining credible results. In the first step, the Commiphora molmol and Boswellia papyrifera plant materials must be processed in similar manner. Both are crushed into powder and extracted by dissolving them in various solvents and then distilled, evaporated then dried. The solvents used are petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water.
The extracts obtained at the end can then be considered to be similar which a crucial aspect of an experiment like this is. The next step in the experiment was also significant in ensuring the chemical components in the extracts are known and that the anti microbial activity is attributed to each of them separately. The authors call this step phytochemical screening. After the different components are identified in the extracts, they are confirmed by various known tests; these tests are already known to be valid.
It is also significant to note that in the course of the experiment, there were seven different strains of MRSA used. This is important because it is necessary for the end result to provide an answer for more than just one strain, especially since varying forms of the isolates have been recovered from clinical specimen. Knowing how these plant extracts affect all the strains is crucial information for anyone who intends to take up the use of these plants for anti microbial therapy. In the course of the experiment, the isolates are grown in brain heart infusion broth at 37 degrees Celsius for 18–24 hours (Abdallah et al).
This is clinically very important because it is necessary that the growth of these isolates mimics the environment of the human body as this is the environment of interest for this study. Since MRSA is aerobic, and is also not a fastidious organism, the condition in which the MRSA was grown in the broth was optimum for its growth and this promotes the reliability of the methodology used.
The Commiphora molmol and Boswellia papyrifera extracts under investigation are tested against other already commercially available antibiotics whose effect on MRSA is already known. This contributes to the clinical significance of the experiment since the result obtained can be compared to already existing data. The other antibiotics in question are well described in the paper and their clinical significance as far as MRSA treatment is concerned is explained.
This is important because it is against this factual background that the outcome of the plant extracts will be evaluated at the end of the experiment. In performing the anti microbial screen and the minimum inhibitory concentration, regular standard procedures as performed on usual clinical specimen are followed. It is important that this was observed in the experiment since consistency in procedure allows for credibility of the result.
Finally, I support the argument of the authors of this paper based on the results obtained. Seeing that the methodologies followed have been credible so far and that proper procedures were followed, it is thus clear that we can only expect accurate results from this study. The use of a control microorganism was also an important aspect of the experiment, this is because control serves to show that the reagents used were proper and that procedure was duly followed. The S. aureus used as a control brings out this needed contrast in the result.
Nevertheless, like most other experiments this study is limited in one major way; one of the weaknesses seen is the phytochemical analysis results. While majority of the results obtained are definite, there are many results that show a weak positive reaction of the Commiphora molmol and Boswellia papyrifera solvent extracts. A good experiment would have carefully selected solvents and methodologies whose reactions would be clear and definite.
This reaction leaves a lot of room for speculation. The other weakness in this study’s result is that although some anti microbial activity of the plant extracts was demonstrated, no direct clinical significant conclusion was arrived at. But, this is possibly due to the complex nature of the isolates. The anti microbial activity shown by the extracts is not sufficient to warrant clinical conclusion. In the end, the usefulness of the study is in showing that traditional medicine is an avenue worth pursuing in finding anti microbial agents.
Works Cited
Abdallah Emad M., Khalid Amna S., & Ibrahim, Nazlina. “Antibacterial activity of oleo-gum resins of Commiphora molmol and Boswellia papyrifera against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).” Scientific Research and Essay, 4.4 (2009): 351-356.