Evaluation of anti-infective potential of a tribal folklore Odina wodier Roxb against some selected microbes and herpes simplex virus associated with skin infection

Aim To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Odina wodier bark (OWB), a folk medicine, against representative bacteria, fungi and herpes simplex virus (HSV) associated with skin infections. Methods and Results The OWB extract(s) was found to inhibit the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli at an MIC of 256–5000 μg ml−1 and Candida albicans at and above 4000 μg ml−1 by agar and broth dilution assays. The growth curve of Staph. aureus revealed the highest activity within 2–6 h of methanol extract (ME) exposure. Interestingly, the MTT and plaque reduction assay showed that the extracts can inhibit HSV-1 and HSV-2 at EC50 of 22·4 and 28·8 μg ml−1, with Selectivity index of 11·7–15. While the time kinetic and binding assays demonstrated that the ME at 50 μg ml−1 prevents viral attachment into Vero cells. Phytochemical and HPLC analysis of ME revealed the presence of flavonoids, phytosterols, saponins and tannins including the pseudotannin chlorogenic acid. Conclusion The traditional use of OWB for the management of skin infections has scientific basis. Significance and Impact of the Study This study demonstrated the antimicrobial potential of OWB on selected isolates of bacteria, fungi and HSV, associated with skin infections.