Evaluation of Aqueous Fruit Extract of Vitex doniana for Protective Effects in Rats Infected with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

摘要

Locally, Vitexdoniana is used in the management of a wide range of diseases. The aim of this research was toevaluate aqueous fruit extract of Vitex doniana for protective effect in rats infected with Methicillin ResistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Different concentrations (1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) of the aqueous fruit extract of V.doniana were prepared using Carbopol 940. Excision wound (6 mm) was induced on the dorsal skin region of 18male Wistar rats put into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) and infected with 1 ml 10 6 cells /ml MRSA suspension.The negative (GP A) and positive (GP B) controls were topically treated with empty carbopol and 1% Vancomycin,while the experimental groups (C, D, E, and F) were treated with 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% carbopol gel of aqueous V.doniana fruit extract respectively for 12 days. Wound healing using wound contraction model was measured afterevery other day. Among the experimental groups, the rate of wound contraction was proportional to the percentagecarbopol gel of aqueous V. doniana fruit extract used. Group C with wound diameter of 6.0±0.01 m on Day 0contracted to 3.8±0.11 m on Day 12, while that of Group D contracted from 6.0±0.02 m to 2.4±0.01 m on Day 12unlike the Group E contracting from 6.0±0.01 m to 0.8±0.13 and Group F from 6.0±0.01 to zero on Day 12. Hencecomplete wound healing evident in microbiological and histopathological analysis on the wound area occurredamong group F treated with 4% aqueous fruit extract of V. doniana.Wound infection is detrimental to woundhealing process. Findings from this study suggest that suppression of MRSA by the extract enhanced woundcontraction and healing thereby conferring protective effect to the rats against MRSA. Further study should beconducted to identify the bioactive component of V. doniana fruit responsible for the observed antiMRSA activity.