The antibacterial activity of the aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Lawsonia inermis (henna) leaves were tested against 46 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk, also tested against standard bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). The highest antibacterial potency was observed for the methanolic extract with zone of inhibition (14.3043 ± 1.8722 mm), followed by ethanolic (12.9565 ± 2.0106 mm) then aqueous (11.6304 ± 2.2446 mm). The effect of methanolic extract against methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates was the excellent in comparison to other extracts (14.1± 1.88 mm) zone of inhibition followed by ethanolic (12.91 ± 2.372 mm) then aqueous (12 ± 2.41 mm). The isolates were subjected Kirby Bauer method to test their antibiotic susceptibility pattern, substantial antibiotic resistance were shown by 46 (100%) of isolates for ampicillin. Moderate resistance was shown by 31(67.4%) for oxacillin and low resistance was observed by erythromycin. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed that the presence of high amount of phenolic compounds in methanolic extract (5.4) mg/ml, ethanolic (4.9) mg/ml and aqueoeus (3) mg/ml.
MRSA provides a prospecting for new compounds which may be particularly effective against infections that are currently difficult to treat (1).
Aims of the conducted study are: 1) an attempt to determine the antibacterial activity of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn) leaves against S. aureus isolates, and Gram negative bacteria. 2) antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates. 3) explore the biochemical constituents of extracts.