Antibacterial Activity of Malvastrum coromandelianum Garcke Against Methicillin-Sensitive and Methicillin-Resistant Strains of Staphylococcus aureus

Crude water extract of aerial part of Malvastrum coromandelianum Garcke (ME) was studied for anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity against S. aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 29213 and 6 clinical isolates of each group of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). ME exhibited moderate anti-bacterial activity against MSSA (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) = 2.5-5 mg mL-1, Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBCs ) = 10-80 mg mL-1), most of MRSA (MICs = 2.5-5 mg mL-1, MBCs = 10-20 mg mL-1) except for MRSA strain No. 6 (MBC >160 mg mL-1), S. aureus ATCC 25923 (MIC = 5 mg mL-1, MBC = 20 mg mL-1) and S. aureus ATCC 29213 (MIC = 5 mg mL-1, MBC = 10 mg mL-1). These results suggest that ME potentially benefits as alternative remedy for MRSA.