IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF AQUEOUS, ACETONIC, AND ETHANOLIC STEM BARK EXTRACTS OF COMBRETUM COLLINUM FRESEN. (COMBRETACEAE) ON MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS STRAINS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING

Abstract

Combretum collinum Fresen. (Combretaceae) is a plant native to Côte d'Ivoire commonly used to traditionally treat various ailments, including envenomations, ear infections, diarrhea, infertility, gonorrhea, epilepsy, and dengue fever. This work contributes to the development of this plant, aiming to promote its sustainable management and conservation among local populations. Like many medicinal plants, it is subject to human pressure that could lead to its extinction. The study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous, acetone, and ethanolic extracts of Combretum collinum stem bark on the in vitro growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Diffusion in agar and macrodilution in liquid medium were used to evaluate the sensitivity of bacterial strains to the extracts and to determine their antibacterial parameters (MIC and MBC). The MICs obtained ranged from 0.60 to 9.72 mg/ml. The MBCs ranged from 0.60 to 9.72 mg/ml for the ethanolic extract and from 1.21 to 4.86 mg/ml for the aqueous extract, demonstrating the bactericidal activity of these extracts. Furthermore, qualitative analysis by thin-layer chromatography on the extracts detected several groups of compounds. These included tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols, polyterpenes, anthocyanins, and anthraquinone glycosides, most of which have known antibacterial effects. This work justifies the traditional use of C. collinum in the treatment of various bacterial infections, particularly those induced by Staphylococcus aureus.