Antibacterial activity of Calotropis procera and Ficus sycomorus extracts on some pathogenic microorganisms

Abstract

In vitro antibacterial potential of chloroform, absolute ethanol, methanol, ethanol (70%) and aqueous extracts of Calotropis procera and Ficus sycomorus leaves and latex were evaluated against five Gramnegative bacteria (Neisseria lactamica ATCC 23970, Salmonella typhi ATCC 19430, Shigella flexenri ATCC 12022, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) and two Gram-positive bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, S. aureus CONS ATCC 29213). The antibacterial activities were expressed as zone of inhibition; minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and also the survival curve was determined as kinetic studies. Interestingly, among all the tested extracts, aqueous and ethanol (either absolute or 70%) of C. procera and F. sycomorus leaves and latex were the best solvents for elute polar antibacterial substances and showed bacteriocidal effect against most Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Also, latex extracts were more pronounced than leaf extracts on human pathogenic bacteria. The most resistant bacterium was E. feacalis against both plant extracts. On the other hand, S. areus MRSA was the most sensitive bacteria especially with ethanol 70% extract of leaves and latex for both plants. The results of MIC for these extracts show more or less values higher than the chloramephnicol. Our conclusion confirms that, susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria to the aqueous or ethanolic extracts of leaves for both plants was more than those of Gram-negative bacteria. The activities of 70% ethanol extracts recorded highest activity against Gram-negative bacteria than those of other extracts. The results therefore established a good support for the use of C. procera and/or F. sycomorus in traditional medicine against Grampositive and negative pathogenic bacteria.

Combating multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from camel milk with extracts of Eucalyptus globulus and Calotropis procera, and their potential role in modulation of resistance to beta-lactam drugs

“…The efficacy of ethanolic extracts of C. procera against coagulase-negative staphylococci was higher than that of aqueous extracts (20). Moreover, it was also observed that ethanolic extracts showed a higher MIC or no effect against some staphylococcal and enterococcal species (22). However, the weak activity of ethanolic extracts of C. procera against S. aureus demonstrated by both paper diffusion and broth dilution methods is also well documented (14).…”

“…This could be explained by the variation in the Calotropis species and the use of latex rather than leaves, since it was observed that latex extracts have a higher level of active ingredients than leaf extracts. Another source reports a ZOI of 12.5 mm with an aqueous extract and 11.1 mm with an ethanolic extract of C. gigantea against MDRSA (22). The efficacy of ethanolic extracts of C. procera against coagulase-negative staphylococci was higher than that of aqueous extracts (20).…”

Evaluation of effect of Calotropis gigantea root bark in some animal models of Wister albino rats

“…These findings support traditional claims and provide scientific basis for anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. [28][29][30]…”

Efficacy of Caltropis procera and Ficus sycomorus extracts in treating MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)-keratitis in rabbit

“…Extracts of C. procera using water, methanol, absolute ethanol, and ethanol 70 % were effective against MRSA (Salem et al, 2014[ 29 ]). The apical twigs and latex of C. procera were reported to produce the greatest inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus (Parabia et al, 2008[ 24 ]).…”

“…Hence, the intrastromal model of Staphylococcus keratitis is more useful for studying the chemotherapy and pathological reactions that occur in the eye. New antibacterial substances of different origins are being experimented and the use of natural antibacterial substances from bacteria, plants and animals are recently hot research topics (Kurlenda and Grinholc, 2012[ 14 ]; Salem et al, 2014[ 28 ][ 29 ], 2015[ 27 ]).…”