Unlocking the antibacterial efficacy of Chromolaena odorata extract in wound healing

Abstract

Background: Wound complications are a worldwide problem which has morbidity, mortality and financial consequences and there is a need for alternative means of wound care. Plants are natural resources for applications against resistant bacteria due to their multiple mechanisms of action. Therefore, this study evaluated the antibacterial activity of C. odorata acetone extract in its crude and purified state against Gram-negative bacteria isolated from wounds. Methods: Bacteria were molecularly identified using the 16S rRNA sequencing. The antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria was assayed using disc diffusion methods. Plant leaves were collected and extracted, and the extract was screened for phytochemical constituents. The extract was purified using column chromatography. The antibacterial activities of crude and purified extracts were assayed using agar well diffusion methods. Results: The bacterial isolates were molecularly identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Providencia vermicola and Proteus mirabilis. All three bacteria were resistant to all antibiotics tested. Phytochemicals present in the C. odorata acetone extract include phenol, saponin, tannin, glycoside, steroid, terpenoid and flavonoid. The percentage yield of C. odorata leaf acetone extract was 12.3%. The antibacterial activity of purified C. odorata acetone was better than the crude. The lowest MIC was 12.5 mg/ml and the lowest MBC was 100 mg/ml. Conclusion: C. odorata extract contains phytochemicals that possess antibacterial activity and should be exploited for antibacterial activities and used to discover bioactive natural products that serve as lead for the development of new antibacterial drugs.