Efficacy of Caltropis procera and Ficus sycomorus extracts in treating MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)-keratitis in rabbit

Authors

  • Waiel F. Sayed Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt
  • Wesam M. A. Salem Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt
  • Mohie A. M. Haridy Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt
  • Ne'mat H. Hassan The Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality, Cairo, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2015-350

Keywords:

Ficus sycomorus, Caltropis procera, latex, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, keratitis

Abstract

MRSA-induced keratitis in rabbit was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of F. sycomorus leaves and C. procera latex extracts. Within the 6 rabbit groups tested, group 1 received sterilized saline, while other groups (2 to 6) received 100 μl of intrastromal injections of 1.5×103 colony forming unit (cfu) ml-1 of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). After 12 hours, groups 3 to 6 also received chloramphenicol, aqueous extract of C. procera latex, aqueous and alcoholic extracts of F. sycomorus leaves, respectively 3 times daily for 12 successive days. The tested extracts inhibited MRSA growth in vitro (i.e. on culture medium). Colony counts in cornea discs from groups 3 to 6 were significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.001) compared to group 2 (untreated). Clinical signs of keratitis were observed on group 2 until the end of experiment. In groups 3 to 6, gradual recovery was observed and signs disappeared by the 12th DPI (days post inoculation). Only mild symptoms persisted in group 5 (aqueous extract of leaves). In group 3 and 5, cornea, iris, ciliary body and conjunctiva showed mild leukocytic infiltration and depigmentation of melanin cells while recovery of cornea and iris was observed in groups 4 and 6. In conclusion, the used extracts have potential therapeutic effects on MRSA-induced keratitis in rabbit.

Published

2015-06-16

How to Cite

Sayed, W. F., Salem, W. M. A., Haridy, M. A. M., & Hassan, N. H. (2015). Efficacy of Caltropis procera and Ficus sycomorus extracts in treating MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)-keratitis in rabbit. EXCLI Journal, 14, 747–757. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2015-350

Issue

Section

Original articles