Wounds on the skin are a common health issue affecting working equines. This study aimed to evaluate the in-vitro antibacterial properties of crude methanolic extracts from selected medicinal plants against pathogens isolated from equine skin wounds in Merti district. Agar well and disc diffusion tests were used to determine the mean zone of inhibition, while broth dilution methods were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), further confirming the potent antibacterial effects of the selected medicinal plant extracts. One way analysis of variance was used to compute the mean zone of inhibition (mm ± SEM) using SPSS version 20. The results showed that Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacterial pathogen. The medicinal plants Zingiber officinale (ginger), Allium sativum (garlic), Croton macrostachyus, and Solanum incanum exhibited significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. On agar well diffusion method, the highest and lowest zone of inhibition was recorded in C. macrostachyus (28.0 ± 1.2 mm for S. aureus standard strain) and Z. officinale (12.7 ± 0.7 mm for K. pneumoniae wound isolate), respectively at 780 mg/mL concentration. Similarly, C. macrostachyus showed the highest (28.3 ± 0.9) zone of inhibition using the disc diffusion test for S. aureus standard strain. In combined extracts, the highest zone of inhibition was found against standard strain of S. aureus with Croton macrostachyus + Zingiber officinale (33.0 ± 0.6), followed by both Allium sativum + Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum + Croton macrostachyus at 32 ± 1.2 mm at 780 mg/mL concentration. The minimum inhibitory concentration ranged from 12.18 mg/mL for A. sativum (against standard S. aureus) to 390 mg/mL for S. incanum (against P. aeruginosa), while MBC ranged from 24.38 mg/mL for A. sativum (against S. aureus and E. coli) to > 390 mg/mL for S. incanum against K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The findings demonstrate the potential of these natural resources as alternative or complementary treatments for managing bacterial infections associated with equine skin wounds, which is particularly relevant in the context of the growing global challenge of antibiotic resistance, and provide valuable baseline information for future in-vivo investigations and the potential development of herbal-based wound management strategies in equine veterinary practice, warranting further in-vivo studies.
According to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Central Statistical Agency in 2020, Ethiopia has the largest equid population in Africa, with approximately 2.11 million horses, 8.98 million donkeys, and 0.38 million mules. Equines play a crucial role as working animals for rural and urban communities, transporting people and goods across the country. Despite the significance of equines in Ethiopia, they are susceptible to a variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases that negatively affect their wellbeing. One of the most prevalent health issues facing working equines worldwide is skin wounds.
Skin wounds in horses can lead to serious complications if not properly managed, as the bacterial species that colonize these wounds play a significant role in the healing process. Identifying the predominant bacterial species associated with equine skin wounds and evaluating the antibacterial potential of medicinal plants can provide valuable insights for developing effective wound management strategies.
Ethiopia is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a wide variety of medicinal plants with potential antimicrobial properties. Exploring the antibacterial activities of these medicinal plants against the bacterial pathogens found in equine skin wounds could lead to the development of alternative or complementary treatments for wound management in equine veterinary practice.
Skin wounds in equines can provide a suitable environment for microbial growth, especially in cases of saddle sores, as they facilitate infection risk by creating optimal conditions for microorganism propagation. Common bacterial pathogens isolated from equine wounds include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Streptococcus spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter, Enterococci, Clostridium, Candida, Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium, and Aeromonas. The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains have further exacerbated the global threat posed by infectious diseases.
Ethiopia is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a wide variety of medicinal plants with potential antimicrobial properties. Exploring the antibacterial activities of these medicinal plants against the bacterial pathogens found in equine skin wounds could lead to the development of alternative or complementary treatments for wound management in equine veterinary practice. Medicinal plants have gained increasing attention as alternative treatments to combat the growing challenge of antibacterial resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. These natural resources have traditionally been utilized for treating various infectious diseases and wound types, including chronic, deep suppurative, lacerated, incised, and ulcerated wounds.
In Ethiopia, medicinal plants have a long history of serving as a source of traditional medicine for treating human and livestock ailments Several plant species, such as Zingiber officinale (ginger), Allium sativum (garlic), Croton macrostachyus, and Solanum incanum, have been employed to manage different health conditions due to their reported antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological properties
The antimicrobial potential of these medicinal plants holds promise for their application in managing bacterial infections associated with equine skin wounds. Equine skin wounds can provide a suitable environment for the proliferation of various bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other opportunistic microorganisms. The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains have further exacerbated the global challenge of infectious diseases, making the exploration of alternative treatment options a crucial step in addressing this public health concern.
Bacterial pathogens have demonstrated an increasing ability to develop resistance against commercially available antibacterial agents, posing a significant challenge in the field of antimicrobial therapy. This growing concern has necessitated the search for new raw materials to develop novel antibacterial agents that can effectively combat the rising issue of microbial resistance.
Extracts from medicinal plants have been utilized by pharmaceutical companies in manufacturing herbal antibacterial agents, providing an alternative approach to combat infectious diseases. However, over time, some pathogenic microorganisms have acquired resistance against these commercially produced herbal antibacterials, an issue that is prevalent worldwide, including in Ethiopia.This study evaluated the antibacterial potential of local medicinal plants against pathogens isolated from equine skin wounds in Merti district. In the district, people medicate their equine in nearby clinics as well as by application of medicinal plants such as S. incanum (in oromic hiddii), C. macrostachyus (in oromic makkanniisaa), A. sativum (in oromic qullubbii) and Z. officinale (in oromic zingbila). The research aimed to provide evidence-based insights into traditional practices of using plant-based remedies for treating equine skin infections, which are a common issue in the region. Investigating the antimicrobial properties of locally available medicinal plants can help identify effective natural alternatives to complement or potentially replace conventional antibiotics, contributing to the management of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in the equine population.