Background and Objective: The escalating threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens presents a pressing challenge in the battle against infectious diseases, particularly oral infections. Traditional medicine, with its long history of utilizing plant-based remedies for their therapeutic potential, offers a promising avenue. Tetracarpidium conophorum (commonly known as walnut) is a prime example. This study delves into the antimicrobial properties of Tetracarpidium conophorum extracts, a potential solution to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Materials and Methods: The seeds, leaves, and roots of Tetracarpidium conophorum were meticulously collected from Adavi Local Government Area in Kogi State, Nigeria, and authenticated by a botanist at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The extracts were obtained using the cold maceration method with water, ethanol, and hexane as solvent, and the antimicrobial activities were rigorously assessed against a range of oral pathogens using standard susceptibility tests. The microbial isolates were sourced from a reputable institution, the Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, and confirmed through biochemical testing, ensuring the reliability of the results.
Results and Conclusion: The extracts from the seeds, leaves, and roots of Tetracarpidium conophorum demonstrated varying degrees of antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. Notably, the seed extracts exhibited the highest inhibitory effects, followed by the leaf and root extracts. The study identified significant differences in antimicrobial efficacy among the different plant parts, with potential implications for therapeutic use. These findings suggest that the plant of Tetracarpidium conophorum, particularly the seeds, could be harnessed as a valuable source of natural antimicrobial agents, offering a promising alternative to the conventional antibiotics in oral health management.