Antibacterial Effect of Essential Oil from Cymbopogon citratus (dc.) On Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Isolated From Wound Samples in University Of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) Ondo, Ondo State Nigeria
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Abstract
Essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus are volatile plant-derived extracts that are widely used in alternative medicine. They are rich in bioactive compounds and possess notable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making them effective against microorganisms, including those resistant to antibiotics. Traditional studies have demonstrated their efficacy against bacteria and fungi, which supports their use in treating conditions such as fever, digestive disorders, and toothaches. This study therefore investigated the antibacterial impacts of C. citratus (DC.) essential oil on antibiotic resistant bacteria from wound samples. Bacterial isolates were obtained from wound samples that were having water discharge with whitish coloration (infected wounds). These samples were collected at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo using standard procedures. The essential oils were extracted using steam distillation, and their bioactive constituents were analyzed using a Varian Gas Chromatography (GC–MS) system coupled with a Mass Spectrometer (MS) 3000 fitted with an Agilent MS capillary column. Subsequently, the antibacterial activity of the extracts was evaluated using agar well diffusion method. GC–MS analysis identified ten bioactive compounds in the essential oil, among which 1-(P-bromophenyl)-4-nitro-1,3-butadiene is recognized for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This compound showed antibacterial efficacy against antibiotic-resistant strains, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The mean inhibition zone diameter recorded ranged from 13.03±0.04mm to 22.09±0.31mm. The findings indicated that wounds may harbor bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and essential oils derived from Cymbopogon citratus demonstrated effectiveness against these resistant bacterial strains.
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