Antibacterial activity of Local Verbascum sp. extracts against nosocomial antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Abstract

Nosocomial infections, primarily caused by bacteria, present a significant public health challenge in healthcare facilities. Verbascum sp. (Common Mullein), known for its medicinal properties, has been traditionally utilized to treat various ailments. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts from Verbascum sp. leaves against several bacterial isolates. Leaves were collected, dried, and processed to prepare methanolic extracts. The antibacterial efficacy was assessed using agar well diffusion and agar plate dilution assays to determine inhibition zones and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The results demonstrated that the methanolic extract exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus spp., and Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones of 19.33 mm, 17.67 mm, and 19.67 mm, respectively. The MIC values were 125 µg/mL for both A. baumannii and S. aureus, and 250 µg/mL for Enterococcus spp. These findings highlight the potential of Verbascum  species. extracts as alternative treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections in hospital settings. Notably, the extract's efficacy against these bacteria supports its use in treating infections caused by resistant strains. However, the extract showed no activity against E. coli and Burkholderia gladioli, underscoring the need for further research to understand and overcome these limitations. The findings align with previous studies, reinforcing the antimicrobial potential of Verbascum sp. Overall, Verbascum sp. leaf extract presents a promising avenue for developing new antimicrobial agents, particularly in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance and the need for alternative treatments in war-affected regions.