| dc.description.abstract | Introduction Furuncles are painful, swollen, often pus filled bumps on the skin associated with inflammation of the hair follicle and its surroundings. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a species of Staphylococci often the causative pathogens (Shallcross et al, 2015). Treatment of the condition involves using antibiotics and drainage. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics and high treatment costs limits these treatment options. With studies showing the anti-microbial properties of locally available plants, exploring these for possible treatment options would provide alternative, cheap, safe and effective drugs, reduce the frequency of use of available antibiotics; a possible strategy of curbing growing anti-microbial resistance(Tong et al., 2015).. This study therefore aims to exploit the anti-bacterial activities of a combination of Citrus sinensis and Melaleuca alternifolia oil extracts on Staphylococcus aureus, the leading causative organism of furuncles Methods The extraction of the oils using steam distillation was carried out at the Cranes Essential Distillery, a UNBS a credited plant. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using qualitative laboratory method while agar well diffusion method was used to determine antibacterial activity of the extracts. Acute dermal toxicity valuations were carried out for the formulated cream. Aim of the study The main objective of the study was to formulate a safe herbal cream with antibiotic activity against staphylococcus aureus, the leading furuncle causative microrganism. Materials and methods The safety of the formulated MACS Herbal cream from oil extracts of Melaleuca alternifolia leaves, and oil extracts of Citrus sinensis peels embedded in a cream base (negative control) was compared with that of Neomycin cream 1% w/w (positive control) and distilled water (placebo). The backs of 12 randomised rats were shaved and divided into 4 groups, 3 rats per group. The groups included the negative control, positive control, distilled water and MMK Herbal cream. The results for the safety of the formulated cream were expressed using Draize dermal irritation scoring system . xii The result for the antibiotic activity of the combined extracts in comparison to the individual extracts on staphylococcus aureus was expressed in fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC index value) Results. Draize dermal irritation scoring system was 0 The FIC index value was 0.936 Conclusions The formulated cream was safe for usage as an alternative in the management of furuncles caused by staphylococcus aureus. The interaction between the oil extracts of citrus sinensis and Melalueca arternifolia was deemed to be additive since the FIC value index is between 0.5 to 4. Recommendations Improvements should be done on the texture, quality, stability and acceptability of the Macs herbal cream . Studies to be done on other topical dosage forms such as ointment, lotion, paste to compare with Macs herbal cream. More research should be carried out to determine lead compounds in Malaleuca alternifolia and Citrus sinensis extracts responsible for the anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Research be done to demonstrate the mechanism of action by which a plant extract inhibits bacterial cells. Further in vivo studies to be done by other researchers to determine the in-vivo efficacy of the plant extracts. | en_US |
