Unlocking the potential of Uvaria chamae: A cream formulation for combatting Staphylococcus aureus skin infections

TOGBE, Eskyl; KOUDOKPON, Hornel; AYENA, Aimé Césaire; ASSOGBA, Phénix; HOUNSA, Edna; WATARA, Amy EC; AGBODJENTO, Eric EC; OHOUKO, Fréjus EC; KLOTOE, Jean Robert EC; Baba-Moussa, Lamine; DOUGNON, Victorien Tamègnon

doi:10.21608/mid.2024.314835.2165

Unlocking the potential of Uvaria chamae: A cream formulation for combatting Staphylococcus aureus skin infections

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances, Research Laboratory in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou 01 PB 2009, Benin

² Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou 05 PB 1604, Benin

10.21608/mid.2024.314835.2165

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) skin infections remain a major public health concern worldwide, posing ongoing treatment challenges. The roots of Uvaria chamae have demonstrated significant efficacy against S. aureus. The aim of this study was to propose a dermal formulation based on Uvaria chamae for the treatment of bacterial skin infections. Antibacterial activity was first confirmed. Tests including the destruction kinetics test, the erythromycin outer membrane permeability test, and the ATPase/H+ proton pump inhibition test were carried out to explore the antibacterial mode of action. In addition to these tests, characterization tests were also carried out on the extract. A cream was prepared using the phase inversion technique and subjected to quality control and sensori-rheological characterization tests. The cream was tested for antibacterial activity and cutaneous toxicity (OECD guideline 404). The in vivo antibacterial effect and wound-healing potential of Uvaria chamae cream were then evaluated on Wistar rats. The ethanolic extract of Uvaria chamae root showed bactericidal effects on the S. aureus strains tested. In combination with erythromycin, the extract improved S. aureus outer membrane permeability while inhibiting ATPase/H+ proton pumps. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed a high average content of total polyphenols. The pharmaceutical quality of the cream produced revealed acceptable macroscopic conditions and satisfactory homogeneity. Evaluation of antibacterial activity showed significant activity at low concentrations. The cream's healing properties indicated a significant reduction in wound diameter (p<0.05) over time, culminating in complete healing on day 13 for the treated group, with a 99.99% retraction percentage. These results support the safe use of Uvaria chamae extracts in the management of S. aureus skin infections, and pave the way for preclinical testing and eventual market introduction of this cream.

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