Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacteria that influence human health. Staphylococcus aureus becomes a more serious problem if it is resistant to methicillin. This phenomenon is known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study aimed to elucidate the chemical compounds, antioxidant activity and efficacy of Aloe vera (AV), Apium graveolens (AG), Sauropus androgynus (SA) extracts and its combinations against MRSA. All the herbs were extracted and determined its antioxidant constituent and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity using a standard laboratory procedure. The MRSA isolates were tested against AV, AG, SA extracts and its combinations using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. Further exploration was conducted using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to analyse the MRSA membrane after the treatment with 10,000× of magnification. The data was analysed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc test. The result showed that AG extract has the highest phytochemical screening and antimicrobial effects compared to the other single extract (AV and SA), even though, it has the lowest DPPH scavenging activity. The extract combinations did not consistently increase phytochemical content, antimicrobial effect, and DPPH scavenging activity of the herb extracts. However, one mg/mL of dose of herbal extracts and its combinations could be used as the minimum dose to inhibit colonisation of MRSA in vitro. Further, SEM examination showed that 1 mg/mL of dose destructed the MRSA membrane rigidity which was proved by non-uniformity of bacterial cell architecture. This in vitro study indicated that AV, AG and SA extracts and its combinations can utilize as the therapy against MRSA.