Phytochemical Profiling and Bioactivity Assessment of Traditional Medicinal Plants as Innovative Therapeutics for Wound Care Applications

Background

The worldwide healthcare system faces significant challenges due to prevalence of chronic wounds worsen by antimicrobial resistant bacteria and polymicrobial biofilm.

Objectives

This research aims to unravel antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of bark of Lodhra, Katphal, Bijak and heartwood of Khadir, mentioned in Ayurveda.

Materials and Methods

Extracts were prepared by maceration method using ethanol, methanol and water as solvents followed by phytochemicals analysis with qualitative tests and mass spectroscopy. Antibacterial activities of each extract were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae commonly associated with wound using agar well diffusion method. Crystal violet staining method was used to analyse the biofilm formation and eradication and MTT assay for cytotoxicity study.

Results

All extracts have shown significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. haemolyticus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae. Combination with the conventional antibiotics revealed synergistic effects with addition of Lodhra (0.5 FIC) and additive with Katphal (0.4 FIC). Ethanolic Katphal and methanolic Khadir extract has shown maximum antibiofilm efficacy against S. aureus with inhibition of 67.85% and 83.75% respectively. IC₅₀ values of ethanol extract shows non-toxic effects on fibroblast cells.

Conclusion

By bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern scientific exploration, this study aspires to pave the way for innovative wound care solutions.