In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Medicinal Plants in the Central North of Morocco: A Possible Source of Alternative Drugs Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims the investigation of the antimicrobial potential of medicinal plants selected in the central north of Morocco against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strain often involved in dermatitis.
 Methods: Structured interviews were carried out among 91 herbalists and traditional healers through a specific information questionnaire, the in vitro susceptibility of Staphylococcus strains award ethanol extracts was evaluated using the well-diffusion assay, while the agar-microdilution method was used to determinate the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The total phenolic and flavonoids contents of all tested extracts were also determined.
 Results: Based on the ethnobotanical survey, a total of 55 plant species belonging to 30 families were mentioned. The Lamiaceae family was the most represented (18.80%) followed by the Apiaceae family (10.90%). Leaves (45.00%) were the favored used part. Decoction method (48.53%) was the most frequently used to prepare remedies that are taken externally (75.00%). Nine of the 17 most selected species have shown an effective antistaphylococcal activity; the most active extracts were Punica granatum and Rhamnus alaternus with MIC values ranging between 0.25 mg/ml and 2.00 mg/ml.
 Conclusion: The current data confirm the good antistaphylococcal activity of P. granatum and R. alaternus and suggest that these species could constitute a promoter source for antistaphylococcal drugs with deeply studies.

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“…In the study area, the most used parts of plants were leaves. Our results are similar with several studies which clearly demonstrated that the leaves were the most used by population 71,37 . The use of leaves can be explained could be explained by the abundance of phytochemical compounds responsible for the plant's biological properties 72 .…”

“…Moreover, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae family's were also the most reported in Moroccan ethno-pharmacological studies 33,34 . Indeed, the Lamiaceae are used by the Moroccan population for treatment of various pathologies 36,37 . The chemical composition of Lamiaceae is endowed with antimicrobial activity 38, 39 .…”

Antistaphylococcal Activity and Phytochemical Analysis of Crude Extracts of Five Medicinal Plants Used in the Center of Morocco against Dermatitis

“…The five studied plants were selected from an ethnopharmacological study undertaken in Sefrou city (Center of Morocco) [19]. Based on the calculated frequency index, the five plants were the most cited by herbalists to cure skin infections, and the used parts were also prescribed by herbalists (Table 1).…”

Rhamnus alaternus Plant: Extraction of Bioactive Fractions and Evaluation of Their Pharmacological and Phytochemical Properties

“…More recently, Zeouk et al (2019) investigated the antimicrobial activity of Rhamnus alaternus [ 127 ] against various staphylococcal strains. After the ethanolic maceration, leaves’ extracts were investigated in a range of concentration varying between 0.5 and 16 mg/mL; with other antibiotics in the strain’s antibiogram, the ampicillin (100 µg/mL) and distillated water were respectively used as positive and negative control.…”