In vitro antimicrobial activity of Wrightia tinctoria leaf extracts against skin microorganisms

Wrightia tinctoria leaf hexane, methanol and ethanol extracts were screened against skin bacteria and dermatophytes by in vitro. The extracts were tested using agar dilution method and broth micro dilution method. Methanol and ethanol extracts showed antibacterial activity; the MIC was 0.5 mg/ml for Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis; 0.25 mg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus. The hexane extract showed antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans at 2 mg/ml. The MIC of 2 mg/ml was observed for methanol extract against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and IC50 (2 mg/ml) was determined for Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum. To summarise Wrightia tinctoria leaves possessed potent antimicrobial properties against dermatophytic microbes. In particular, methanol and ethanol extracts were active against bacteria and hexane extract was active against dermatophytic fungi, suggesting that the active principles may be useful in the topical treatment of superficial skin infections