Phytocompounds from Saudi Medicinal Plant Ziziphus nummularia against Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) Causing Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

Background and Objective: In Saudi Arabia, atopic dermatitis (AD) which is predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus including Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) results in severe suffering of patients. The present investigation analyses the potential of the crude methanolic extract of a Saudi medicinal herb, Ziziphus nummularia on vancomycin-resistant S. aureus. Materials and Methods: The collected Ziziphus nummularia was extracted using methanol and was screened against three stains (O-2, O-4 and O-5) of the VRSA clinical isolates by agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined and the extracts were analyzed for the detection of various phytochemicals. Thin layer chromatography and GC-MS analysis were also performed. Results: Ziziphus nummularia was found to have phytocompounds with anti-VRSA activities. The activities were increased proportionally with the extract concentration and the MICs were found to be 0.39 mg mL(-1) for S. aureus O-5 and 0.781 mg mL(-1) for O-2 and O-4 strains. The TLC separated the various fractions and the GC-MS result showed the presence of twenty-five bioactive phytocompounds. Conclusion: In light of these findings, it could be suggested that, if developed through further studies, the crude Ziziphus nummularia can be used as a promising herbal formation for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.