In vitro and In vivo Anti-Microbial Effects of Nigella sativa Linn. Seed Extracts Against Clinical Isolates from Skin Wound Infections

Abstract

Problem statement:The developing microbial resistance to the existing anti-microbial agents has become a real challenge and a serious problem facing patients suffering from skin infections. Seeds of Nigella sativa have been used for a long time in folk medicine for the treatment of such infections. Production of new potent agents is urgently needed, especially for hospitals and health centers. Therefore, the anti-microbial effect of aqueous, diethyl ether, chloroform and petroleum ether extracts of the seeds against four standard microbial strains and seven clinical isolates from patients with skin wound infections were investigated. Approach: The in vitro anti-microbial effect of the extracts at a concentration of 20% on standard strains and clinical isolates was assessed and compared with standard drugs, chloramphenicol and amphotericin B using agar well diffusion assay. The in vivo anti-bacterial effect of petroleum ether extract was studied in male BALB/c mice infected subcutaneously with S. aureus (ATCC 25923) or a clinical isolate (0.1 mL from 10 9 colony forming units mL −1 suspension) and immediately treated at the infected site by subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mL of pure extract (fixed oil) or chloramphenicol or normal saline. Counts of viable bacteria present in the skin area corresponding to the infected site were determined, after 24 and 48 h of infection and treatment. Results: The aqueous extract did not show any inhibitory effect against all the tested microorganisms. The diethyl ether and chloroform extracts indicated significant inhibitory effect only against Gram-positive bacteria. However, petroleum ether extract was proved to be the most powerful one against these bacteria and also against other clinical isolates like one Gram-negative bacterium (Klebsiella pneumonia) and the yeast (Candida albicans). Moreover, the extract revealed a superior effect over the standard drug, chloramphenicol, on the clearance of subcutaneous staphylococcal infection in mice when injected at the site of infection. Counts of viable bacteria were decreased at highly significant level in mice infected with S. aureus (ATCC 25923) or a clinical isolate. Conclusion/Recommendations:The results of this study revealed clear potentiality of N. sativa fixed oil as a source for anti-microbial drugs and support its use in folk medicine for the treatment of microbial skin infections.

Healing potential of Rosmarinus officinalis L. on full-thickness excision cutaneous wounds in alloxan-induced-diabetic BALB/c mice

“…Delayed cutaneous wound healing is a chronic complication in diabetic patients and is caused primarily by hyperglycemia, diminished expression of cytokines, oxidative stress, vascular insufficiency and microbial infections (Lerman et al, 2003;Sivan-Loukianova et al, 2003;Hirsch et al, 2008;Abu-Al-Basal, 2009). Several other diabetic complications like neuropathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis and foot deformities contribute to the severity of the disease and in the development of chronic wounds in diabetic patients, that might be complicated leading to ulceration, necrosis and amputation (Lerman et al, 2003;Hirsch et al, 2008).…”

Inhibition of Skin Colour Darkening (Skin Clearing and Lightening); Skin Firming; Body Calming and Body Vitalizing Effects of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> Leaf Extract

“…Skin lightening and skin tightening effects of V. amygdalina extract has not been reported in humans although a study observed skin lightening effects of V. amygdalina in rats whose feed was enhanced with ground V. amygdalina leaves (Abu-Al-Basal, 2009). This study investigated the externally visible effects of V. amygdalina leaf extract on human skin and body energy level.…”

Efficient Anaerobic Fermentation of Simple Sugars by Yeast Fuels Resistance Candida spp. Infections to Eradication by Drugs

“…Nigella sativa seed which has demonstrated numerous antimicrobial anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory and therapeutic effects (Abu-Al-Basalc, 2009;Hanafy and Hatem, 1991;El-Wakil, 2007;Salem, 2005;Siebenhaar et al, 2007) enhanced glucose-induced induced insulin release from rat isolated Islets of langahans (Rchid et al, 2004), which highlights the pivotal role of simple sugars in disease infectivity.…”