in vivo antibacterial and therapeutic properties of P. ostreatus against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Objectives: The use of natural products is embraced by a larger percentage of the world population. Most species of fungi including mushrooms produce useful secondary metabolites that stimulate the immune system against infection and diseases. Investigations were conducted to assay the therapeutic potentials of P. ostreatus against pathogenic staph infection.

Methods: The methanol extract of P. ostreatus was prepared using the cold extraction method. Thirty Wistar albino rats weighing 82.0 g to 99.2 g were distributed into 6 groups of 5 and inoculated orally with actively growing Staphylococcus aureus suspension. P. ostreatus methanol extract LD ₅₀ > 5000 mg/kg was used to determine the graded doses for the study. Graded doses of the extract 625 mg, 1250 mg, and 2500 mg were administered orally to the experimental animals for seven days.

Results: The negative control and 625 mg had skin ulceration while 1250 mg to 2500 mg produced apparently healthy skin. Bacterial count after 7 days post-treatment was significantly high in the negative control and 625 mg dose (32.00 x 10⁴ ± 6.10^b; 43.40 x 10⁴ ± 6.20^b Cfu/ml) P< 0.05. Haematological and serum biochemical values were not significantly P < 0.05 affected. Pleurotus ostreatus administration at 1250 to 2500 mg produced a statistically low colony count that was comparable with 13.33 mg Ciprofloxacin and placebo.

     

Conclusion: Pleurotus ostreatus at 1250 to 2500 mg was able to produce clinical recovery from S. aureus infection while 625 mg could not. The extract had no deleterious effect on the blood parameters, liver enzymes, and kidney biomarkers.