Assessment of antistaphylococcal activity of ethanolic extract of Lenzites quercina (L) P. Karsten against clinical Staphylococcus species
Abstract
Background: Bioactive compounds in wild medicinal mushrooms are known to contain potent antimicrobial property. Hence, there is need to assess the antimicrobial properties of these wild mushrooms in order to adequately utilize the bioactive compounds for the production of new antimicrobials and to curb the menace of antibiotic resistance. In this study, the phytochemical property and antistaphylococcal activity of a wild medicinal macrofungus, Lenzites quercina was assessed.
Methods: Staphylococcus species were isolated from clinical samples from two well patronized hospitals in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The isolates were identified based on standard microbiological methods. The sensitivity pattern of the Staphylococcus species against some antibiotics was assessed. The inhibitory potential of ethanolic extract of Lenzites quercina on the growth of the clinical Staphylococcal strains was carried out using agar well diffusion method.
Results: The percentage resistance displayed by forty two (42) Staphylococcus species against commonly used antibiotics ranged from 25.0 to 100. Qualitative screening and quantity of some phytochemicals in Lenzites quercina extract are revealed as follows: flavonoids (18.6 mg/g), saponins (2.8 mg/g), tannins (11.3 mg/g), tepernoids (1.16 mg/g) and cardiac glycosides (0.84 mg/g). Inhibitory zones displayed by extract of Lenzites quercina against Staphylococcus spp ranged from 6.0 mm to 22.0 mm at 50 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) however varies from 6.25 mg/ml to ≥50 mg/ml. Extract of Lenzites quercina as well as commercial antibiotics (positive control) exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus spp.
Conclusion: The phytochemicals in Lenzites quercina are responsible for the anti-staphylococci activity observed. These phytochemicals can be further isolated and exploited to solve the recurrent problem of antibiotic resistance peculiar to some species of Staphylococcus.
Keywords: Hospitals, MAR, Medicinal mushrooms, Phytochemicals, Antibacterial agents