Abstract

HEALING AND ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTS OF AN OINTMENT FORMULATED WITH ALCHORNEA CORDIFOLIA (EUPHORBIACEAE) AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON HEALTHY AND INFECTED WOUNDS IN WISTAR RATS

Ampa Raoul, Bataladio Dieulive Liesse Norberte, *Tony Malaissou Dhornycia Euroldyne, Baloki Ngoulou Tarcisse and Nguimbi Etienne

ABSTRACT

In traditional medicine, Alchornea cordifolia is used in the management of wounds and bacterial infections. Literature does not provide any scientific information confirming these effects, the present study aimed to evaluate the healing and antibacterial effects of an ointment formulated from the aqueous extract of leaves of this plant, on healthy wounds and infected in wistar rats. The healing effect was assessed by daily application of the ointment at two different concentrations, 2.5% and 5%, respectively named BATA 1 and BATA 2, on healthy wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in wistar rats according to the method reported by Klotoe et al.,(2014). Antibacterial activity, meanwhile, was evaluated by the solid medium diffusion method on four strains often isolated in wounds, namely: S. aureus MN47, E. coli MN40, S. flexneri and P. aerogunosa MN41. Also, the antibacterial parameters were determined by dilution method in liquid medium. The phytochemical profile was determined by tube reactions. Results showed complete healing of uninfected wounds treated with BATA 2 11th day, BATA 1 and Cicatryl on 13th day of treatment; while in control rats with healthy uninfected wounds, complete healing was only observed on the 18th day. Tests carried out on infected wounds show complete healing on the 11th day for BATA 2 and on the 13th day for BATA 1; versus 14 days with Baneoncin. However, all control rats with untreated infected wounds died after 19 days. BATA 1 and BATA 2 formulations showed strong inhibitory activity on the growth of S. aureus MN47, E. coli MN40 and S. flexneri; however, P.aerogunosa MN41 was the most ointment resistant strain at both concentrations. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) recorded vary between 6.25 to 25 mg/mL; while the Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) are found between 3.15 and 12.25 mg/mL. Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of several secondary metabolites: Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, anthocyanins, saponosides, terpenes and oses. These metabolites could be responsible for the healing and antibacterial effects observed, either in isolation or synergistically. The results obtained can justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine as the treatment of healthy and non-infected wounds.

Keywords: Alchornea cordifolia, Wounds, infection, bacterial strains, scarring.