Antibacterial activity of Psorospermum febrifugum leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile pathogen capable of causing a wide range of diseases. In recent years, the emergence of resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains to many antibiotics has been observed worldwide. Indigenous medicinal plants with capacity to treat various infections have inspired the continuous interest in laboratory screening of medicinal plants, not only to determine the scientific rationale for their usage, but also to discover new active components. The objectives of this study were;(1) to determine the phytochemical profile of Psorospermum febrifugum leaf extract, (2) to determine the antibacterial activity of Psorospermum febrifugum leaf extract towards Staphylococcus aureus in comparison to conventional therapy(cloxacillin), (3) to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the Psorospermum febrifugum leaf extract on Staphylococcus aureus.The antibacterial activity of the extract was determined by agar well diffusion method (AWD) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the Psorospermum febrifugum leaf extract on Staphylococcus aureuswere determined by broth dilution method. The findings of the study were that; tannins, reducing sugars, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides and flavonols were found in Psorospermum febrifugum leaf extract. The antibacterial activity of Psorospermum febrifugum leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus was significantly lower than that of cloxacillin. The MIC and MBC values for Psorospermum febrifugum were 93.75mg/ml and 46.875mg/ml respectively. In conclusion, Psorospermum febrifugum had significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. These results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the leaf extract in the treatment of infections associated with Staphylococcus aureus.