Inhibitory Effect of Lowsonia inermis Leaves on Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from Different Cutaneous Infections

The study included the isolation and identification of Staph. aureus from different cutaneous infections in the emergency unit, and out patients of dermatology clinic both within the Mosul Medical City. (247) samples were collected, (155) of them were of Staph. aureus at a ratio of (62.7%). The highest rate Staphylococcal infection ( 76.1%) was isolated from impetigo while the lowest rate ( 37.5%) was isolated from infected wounds. The inhibitory effect alcoholic and aqueous, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, and acetone of Lowsonia Inermis leaves against the isolates of Staph. aureus. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) determined for these extracts. The results indicated that the acetone extract showed the best effect on bacteria and the MIC was (0.5 mg/cm3) and the MBC equal to (1.0mg/ cm3) against the tested bacteria. The MIC and MBC differs according to the type extract and the region of isolation . The Acetone extract was chosen to test its effect in vivo , this extract showed good results in treating the experimental wounds which were artificially infected with Staph. aureus using the Albino rabbit as experimental model for maximum period of twenty days .