Antimicrobial activity of Acanthus ilicifolius: Skin infection pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial activity of Acanthus ilicifolius against the skin infecting bacterial and fungal pathogens. Through the literature survey, the mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius was used in skin infection diseases and have potential anti-inflammatory activity.MethodsAntimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts was tested using agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were carried out.ResultsAmong the different extracts, chloroform extract showed maximum activity against the bacterial pathogens methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum. Methanol and acetone extracts showed maximum activity against Staphylococcus epidermis and Lactobacillus plantarum respectively. Chloroform extracts showed the lowest MIC (0.5 mg/mL) and MBC (2 mg/mL) values against the skin pathogens compared with other extracts. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of resins, steroids, tannins, glycosides, sugars, carbohydrates, saponins, sterols, terpenoids, phenol, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and catechol.ConclusionsFurther, the separation of potential compounds from the crude extracts will be useful for control the skin infection pathogens.