An in-vitro study of the antimicrobial effect of saraca asoca leaf extract on Methicilli sensitive and Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus in combination with Methicillin

Staphylococcus aureus is a species of bacterium commonly found on the skin and or in the noses of healthy people, although it is usually harmless at these sites, it may occasionally get into the body, through breaks in the skin such as abrasions, cuts, wounds, surgical infections, or indwelling catheters and cause infections. These infections may be mild (pimples or boils) or serious (infection of bloodstream, bones or joints). Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important bacteria as a potential pathogen specifically for nosocomial infections. Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureushas been emerging worldwide as one of the most important hospital and community pathogen. Therefore, new agents are needed to treat MRSA. In the present study, antimicrobial activity of aqueous, ethanol and acetone extracts of Saraca asoca were evaluated against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA).The ethanol extract demonstrated a higher antibacterial activity than the acetone and aqueous extract. These extracts were prepared from fresh Saraca asoca leaves. These extracts were evaluated for their part in increasing antibacterial activity of Methicillin against S. aureus (ATCC 25923) and MRSA (ATCC 43300). The antibacterial activity of Methicillin was enhanced against the test organism in the presence of these extracts. Methicillin in combination with these extracts showed maximum inhibition against MSSA and MRSA. Phytochemical analysis gave positive results for steroids, triterpenoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, reducing sugar, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins. Leaf extract of Saraca asoca contains pharmacologically bioactive constituents that may be responsible for its activity against test organisms.