Antimicrobial And Wound Healing Activity Of Some Sudanese Medicinal Plants

Abstract

A total of 30 plant extracts belonging to 10 Sudanese medicinal plants, distributed among 10 families were screened for their antimicrobial activity using the cup plate agar diffusion method. They were tested against five standard bacteria, two Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilisNCTC 8236 and Staphylococcus aureusATCC 25923) and three Gram negative bacteria(Escherichia coliATCC 25922, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6380 andPseudomonas aeruginosaATCC 27853). 26 extracts (86.6%) exhibited inhibitory activity against one or more of the five tested bacteria. Out of the 26 extracts showing antibacterial inhibitory effects, 8 (30.8%) were inhibitory to the 5 tested organisms. Staphylococcus aureuswas the most susceptible organism to the extracts, while Proteus vulgaris showed the least susceptibility. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the most active methanolic extracts of the 10 plants against the standard bacteria were determined using the agar plate dilution method. The antibacterial activity of fourreference drugs were determined against the five tested Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, and compared to the antibacterial activity of the tested plant extracts. The most active extracts against the standard bacteria were selected, they were (18); belonging to the 10 plants; then they were tested against 100 clinical isolates collected randomly from the National Health Laboratory, Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Police Teaching Hospital and Khartoum-North Teaching Hospital. The antifungal activity of the 30 extracts was investigated against two fungi (Aspergillus nigerATCC 9763 and Candida albicansATCC 7596). Out of the 30 extracts screened, 16 (53.33%) exhibited inhibitory activity against one of the two tested fungi. 6 extracts (20%) exhibited inhibitory effect against the two tested organisms.Candida albicanswas the most sensitive organism, while Aspergillus nigershowed the least susceptibility. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the most active methanolic extracts of the 10 plantsagainst the standard fungi were determined using the agar plate dilution method. 72 The antifungal activity of two reference drugs were determined against the two tested fungi, and compared to the antifungal activity of the tested plant extracts. Solenostemma argelis one of the most widelyused medicinal plants in Sudan, and is employed in numerous traditional preparations. In this study the wound healing effect of Solenostemma argelleaves extract was investigated on open skin wound model on rats. 30 Swiss Wistar Albino rats of either sex weighing 80-100g were used during the study. Hair of the lower back and right flank of animal was completely shaved. Fullthickness circular excision wound one cm in diameter was made on the shaved area. Methanolic extract of Solenostemma argelleaves was prepared. Ointment of 2% (w/w) extract in Polyethylene Glycol was prepared. Tetracycline ointment 3% was used as standard control; both ointments were applied twice daily. Two trials were performed; the first using three groups of non-infected rats and the second using three groups of artificially infected rats with standard Staphylococcus aureus. Treated groups were compared with non-treated groups. Healing was determined by reduction in wound area. The results of this study confirmed that the 2% Solenostemma argel ointment is a potent healing agent evenbetter than the tested Tetracycline ointment 3%