Abstract

In this study, the efficacy of chloroform, ethanol and water extracts of Malva neglecta andMalva sylvestris on some bacterial and fungal contaminants of wound infections were investigated. The results showed an acceptable efficacy of chloroform, water and ethanol extracts of these medicinal plants (M. neglecta and M. sylvestris) on some bacterial and fungal contaminants of wound infections. Among all obtained extracts, ethanol extracts of both species especially that of M. sylvestris, showed the best activity against bacteria, followed by aqueous extracts. The best of antibacterial minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values was 0.4 mg/ml obtained with Streptococcus pyogenes cultures. All extracts were active against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus vulgaris. Aqueous and chloroform extracts had better antifungal activity. The best of antifungal MIC values was 0.6 mg/ml for M. sylvestris aqueous extract against Aspergillus niger cultures. All extracts had activity against A. niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. Our results showed that all extracts are active against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and P. vulgaris which have been reported to be troublesome bacteria in wound infections, especially in the aspect of antibiotic resistance as multi-resistant microorganisms. The ethanol extracts had the highest antibacterial activity than all other solvents. Anthocyanin ofM. neglecta has approved bacteriostatic activity. This water soluble pigment can be responsible for acceptable antibacterial effects of aqueous extracts of this plant. Our results add more reasons to the clinical application of these extracts in the prophylaxis and treatment of wound infections. The wide range of the efficacy of these extracts: A. niger, A. fumigatus and C. albicans on different bacterial and fungal agents, and the healing acceleration obtained by these extracts makes them acceptable candidates for the promotion of healing in wound infections.

Key words: Malva sylvestris, Malva neglecta, extracts, contamination, antimicrobial agent.