Antibacterial activity of the fruit extract of Physalis angulata and its formulation

Abstract

The inhibitory activity of zinc oxide-ointment formulation as well as the unformulated crude extract of fruits of Physalis angulata was investigated against clinical wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The zinc oxide-ointment formulation and the unformulated P. angulata crude extract were found to be ineffective against P. aeruginosa at all concentrations used, but potent against S. aureus at varying degrees. The zinc oxide-ointment (100 mg g^-1, 125 mg g^-1 and 150 mg g^-1) and P. angulata crude extract/zinc oxide-ointment (100 mg g^-1, 125 mg g^-1 and 150 mg g^-1) formulations were only slightly active against S. aureus at the highest concentration of 150 mg g^-1. The unformulated P. angulata crude extract alone exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against S. aureus at all concentrations used with zones of inhibition between 34.5 mm and 50.5 mm, followed by a formulation of the extract with only oleaginous base (ointment), with zones of inhibition between 12.8 mm and 20.3 mm. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of these values compared with the activity of Chloramphenicol (positive control) indicated significant inhibitory activity by the unformulated P angulata crude extract and the extract and ointment for-mulation against S. aureus thus suggesting their efficacy in treating staphylococcal infections.