Antibacterial Efficacy of Uvaria chamae Root Extract on Staphylococcus aureus from Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Validation of Traditional Use

Abstract

Background: Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens exacerbating diabetic foot ulcer remain a public health concern worldwide. Treatment of diabetic foot ulcer is a challenge to medical practice and traditional approach has not gained full scientific exposure, hence this in-vitro laboratory based study. Methods: Plant material was collected, identified and analyzed for phytochemicals. 50 samples were collected from diabetic ulcers of consenting subjects and analyzed in the laboratory applying standard microbiological techniques for culturing, isolation and identification of S.aureus. Standard antibiotics were used as control. Results: The result shows that crude extract of Uvaria chamae root yielded tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and phenols at a qualitative rates of 9.4%, 12.72%, 35.3%,16.4%,9.7% and 16.2% respectively. The biochemical test and PCR test confirmed the identity of S. aureus in clinical samples. Crude extract of Uvaria chamae root elicited antibacterial activity against the S. aureus isolate with mean inhibition zones of 24.1mm,16.2mm,11.5mm and 9.3mm recorded for 200mg/ml,100mg/ml,50mg/ml and 25mg/ml respectively. The crude extract further recorded MIC of 25mg/ml and MBC of 50mg/ml against S.aureus. The GC-MS result showed eight peak areas representing eight phyto-compounds; out of which 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cyneme with %peak area of 29.8%, benzyl benzoate (21.4%), methyl thymol (14.1%) and s-cadinol (11.3%) are known antimicrobials. 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cyneme being a major component of plant essential oils is a major constituent of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenol and saponin that inhibited the isolate, hence the potential antibacterial activity. Therefore, it is now scientifically exposed that traditional medicinal practice involving the use Uvaria chamae root to eliminate diabetic foot ulcer pathogens stands to achieve results. Uvaria root can therefore be used to synthesize plant based pharmaceuticals to replace current classes of antibacterials whose toxicity, efficacy and emergence of resistance are major bottlenecks limiting successful treatment of diabetic foot ulcer and other bacterial infections. Further studies are needed since these findings are preliminary in vitro laboratory based.