title: Efficacy of Caltropis procera and Ficus sycomorus extracts in treating MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)-keratitis in rabbit.
abstract: MRSA-induced keratitis in rabbit was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of F. sycomorus leaves and C. procera latex extracts. Within the 6 rabbit groups tested, group 1 received sterilized saline, while other groups (2 to 6) received 100 μl of intrastromal injections of 1.5×10(3) colony forming unit (cfu) ml(-1) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). After 12 hours, groups 3 to 6 also received chloramphenicol, aqueous extract of C. procera latex, aqueous and alcoholic extracts of F. sycomorus leaves, respectively 3 times daily for 12 successive days. The tested extracts inhibited MRSA growth in vitro (i.e. on culture medium). Colony counts in cornea discs from groups 3 to 6 were significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.001) compared to group 2 (untreated). Clinical signs of keratitis were observed on group 2 until the end of experiment. In groups 3 to 6, gradual recovery was observed and signs disappeared by the 12(th) DPI (days post inoculation). Only mild symptoms persisted in group 5 (aqueous extract of leaves). In group 3 and 5, cornea, iris, ciliary body and conjunctiva showed mild leukocytic infiltration and depigmentation of melanin cells while recovery of cornea and iris was observed in groups 4 and 6. In conclusion, the used extracts have potential therapeutic effects on MRSA-induced keratitis in rabbit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt.
authors.forename: Waiel F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Sayed
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt.
authors.forename: Wesam M A
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohie A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Haridy
authors.affiliation: The Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ne'mat H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Hassan
keywords: Caltropis procera; Ficus sycomorus; Staphylococcus aureus MRSA; keratitis; latex