Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus commonly causes bacterial infections such as boils, carbuncles, infections wounds, deep abscesses and bloodstream infections (or bacteraemia). Nowadays, it becomes more difficult to treat such infections due to the appearance of resistant strain known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA). The objective of this study was to screen on methanolic extracts of seaweed (Gracilaria changii) and local sea cucumber (Stichopus badionotus) for their anti-MRSA activities in vitro and in vivo; by a heat-burn, wound-healing model in rats. Both extracts demonstrated in vitro anti-MRSA activity. The sea cucumber extract demonstrated the same extent of wound healing as did vancomycin at P<0.05. The wound-healing activity of the seaweed extract was superior to that of vancomycin as shown by Tukey’s test (P<0.05). It was concluded that both of these crude extracts have a potential to become an alternative resource for anti-MRSA drugs.

Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), heat-burn injury, marine’s natural productseaweed, sea cucumber, Malaysia.