Antimicrobial Activity of Jatropha curcas Latex Against Cutaneous Wound and Burn Infections
Published July 22, 2025 in *Infection and Drug Resistance*, this study by **Ali Salman Al‑Shami, Mokhtar Alzomor** and colleagues from Sanaa University, Yemen evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of Jatropha curcas latex against pathogens commonly found in burn and wound infections.
Study Summary:
- Context: The authors investigated Jatropha curcas latex as a potential topical antimicrobial agent, exploring its relevance amid rising antibiotic resistance in burn and wound care.
- Methods: Extracted latex underwent phytochemical analysis and was tested via agar well diffusion, disc diffusion, and broth dilution against clinical isolates of *S. aureus*, *E. coli*, *K. pneumoniae*, *P. aeruginosa*, and *Candida albicans*, with standard antibiotics (tetracycline, ofloxacin, fluconazole) as comparators.
- Results: J. curcas latex achieved inhibition zones of 23–31 mm (e.g., 31.3 mm for *S. aureus*), and MICs ranged from 6.25 mg/mL (*E. coli/K. pneumoniae/C. albicans*) to 25 mg/mL (*S. aureus/P. aeruginosa*), outperforming or matching conventional drugs :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
- Conclusions: The study supports J. curcas latex as a promising broad-spectrum topical antimicrobial for burn and wound infections, particularly where antibiotic-resistant organisms are prevalent. Further in vivo safety and efficacy studies are recommended.
This research underscores the therapeutic potential of plant-derived antiseptics such as J. curcas latex, which may offer effective alternatives or adjuncts to conventional antimicrobials in evolving wound care scenarios.
Keywords:
Ali Salman Al‑Shami,
Mokhtar Alzomor,
Jatropha curcas,
latex topical antimicrobial,
burn wound infection,
antibiotic resistance,
MIC