Antibacterial activity of Erythrina indica Lam. methanolic extract against catheter-associated urinary tract infections by Staphylococcus aureus

Indwelling catheters play a major role in device-associated bacterial infections which cause complications in the treatment, resulting in severe suffering to the patients by prolonged morbidity, higher hospital expenses and comparatively higher mortality rates. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are among them and their management poses challenges as most of the causative bacteria form biofilms resulting in the development of antibiotic resistant strains. As the scientific world is searching for potential compounds with novel modes of action, the present study investigates the antibacterial potentials of the extract (methanolic) of the traditionally used medicinal plant Erythrina indica Lam. against one of the most challenging, biofilm forming CAUTIs causing bacterial pathogens - Staphylococcus aureus. The methanolic extract of E. indica was screened to find its antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration, antibiofilm activity, etc. The extract showed promising bioactivity by suppressing the growth of S. aureus and it is MIC was found to be 4.8 mg/ml. Also, the extract could reduce the S. aureus biofilms on the catheters up to 71%. The above-mentioned findings indicates that the methanol-based extract of E. indica contains bioactive compounds capable of eradicating the catheter biofilms formed by S. aureus. Therefore, the authors recommend for further studies to purify the compounds responsible and to develop antibacterial coatings from the extract for its clinical use.