Paper Title
The Antimicrobial Effects of Crude Plant Extracts From Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis on Clinically Important Bacteria

Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in clinically important bacteria is an increasing problem worldwide. Alternative therapeutic agents such as medicinal plants should be sourced to overcome this problem. Acne is a common skin disorders in many people and can have a debilitating effect on the self-esteem and confidence of an individual. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The aim of this study was to determine if crude plant extracts from medicinal plants could be used as a suitable alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of acne. Crude extracts were obtained from three medicinal plants: Plectrantus amboinicus, Azadirachta indica and Murraya koenigii using an ethanol extraction method. The extracts were tested individually and in combination against two common causative agents of acne: Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The antimicrobial activity was indicated by the zone of inhibition obtained in the disk diffusion assay. All the plant extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity when tested individually against the acne-causing bacteria, with the greatest activity exhibited by Murraya koenigii. The combination of plant extracts from Murraya koneigii and Azadirachta indica showed a synergistic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The combination of Murraya koneigii and Plectrantus amboinicus showed an antagonistic effect whereby the inhibition of bacterial growth was suppressed. This study shows that the combination of Murraya koneigii and Azadirachta indica is a good potential alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of acne. Keywords- plant extracts, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, acne, antimicrobial properties