Antimicrobial Activity of Some Medicinal Herbs to the Treatment of Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Infections: Preliminary Research

Abstract

(1) Background: Superficial, including cutaneous and mucocutaneous infections are a current public health problem with universal distribution. One of the main concerns, in the present/future, is fungal/bacterial infections by resistant microorganisms. This study aimed to verify if decoctions of coptidis (Coptis chinensis, Ranunculaceae family), neem (Azadirachta indica, Meliaceae family), and their essential oils (EOs), as well as the EO of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium, Myrtaceae family) have antimicrobial activity against prevalent species of microorganisms responsible for superficial infections. (2) Methods: The antimicrobial activity was determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), using broth microdilution method, and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) was determined from subculture of MIC plates. (3) Results: C. chinensis EO and decoction demonstrated some antifungal action against the yeasts and dermatophytes tested. Greatest bactericidal effect against Propionibacterium acnes and some action against Staphylococcus aureus was observed. For A. indica only EO proved activity against dermatophytes and P. acnes. L. scoparium EO showed the broadest antimicrobial spectrum with activity against bacteria, yeasts, and dermatophytes showing greater activity against P. acnes and S. aureus. (4) Conclusions: C. chinensis (EO/decoction), EOs of L. scoparium and A. indica proved in vitro efficacy against fungal, bacterial, or mixed agents of superficial infections, either by sensitive or resistant strains.

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“…Superficial infections, including cutaneous and mucocutaneous infections, are a common public health problem and can be caused by dermatophytes, candida, and Malassezia ( Noites et al, 2023 ). Superficial fungal infections usually cause chronic and non-inflammatory lesions, long treatment course, easy relapse, pain, unattractive and other problems affecting the quality of life of patients ( Abd-Elsalam and Abouelatta, 2023 ).…”

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“…[30][31][32][33] Mucocutaneous mycoses, which are fungal infections of the mucous membranes and moist skin folds, usually caused by Candida. [34][35][36] Antifungals, also known as antimycotics, are commonly used to kill/deactivate fungi and treat fungal infections. According to clinical indications, antifungal drugs are classified into two groups, the first group is antifungals for systemic infections, including: amphotericin B (1), flucytosine (2), ketoconazole (3), fluconazole (4), miconazole (5) 6), 27 the structure of the compounds are as shown in Figure 1.…”