Combination of Ageratum conyzoides leaf extracts with antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from wound infection

Abstract

There has been increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics. The present study investigates the synergistic action of Ageratum conyzoides leaf extracts and antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from wounds. The disc diffusion method was used. Extracts were diluted to concentrations ranging from 3.125 to 5.0 mg/ml. The results indicated that ethanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides showed antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition of 10.33 mm and 11 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. Antibiotics were applied in combination with ethanolic extract of Ageratum conuyzoides and produced zones of inhibition higher than that of the individual antibiotics and plant extract. Ethanolic extract + ciproflaxicin and ethanolic extract + erythromycin produced inhibition of 29 mm and 30 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. The result revealed that combination of Ageratum conyzoides extract and antibiotics tested could be useful in treating wound infections.