Evaluation of antimicrobial and wound healing activities of Jatropha podagrica extracts

Authors

Reawfang Sriyom, Student of Doctor of Philosophy Program in Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.Follow
Arunporn Itharat, Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Center of Excellence in Applied Thai Traditional Medicine Research (CEATMR), Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.Follow
Onmanee Prajuabjinda, Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.Follow
Sumalee Panthong, Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.Follow
Pakakrong Thongdeeying, Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.Follow
Metar Siriwattanasathorn, Faculty of Integrative Medicine, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, ThailandFollow
Maneewan Panthong, Master Degree of Science program (Applied Thai Traditional Medicine) Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.Follow
Neal M. Davies, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada.Follow

Abstract

Background: Jatropha podagrica has been traditionally used to treat skin infections and promote wound healing. However, there is currently no scientific research validating its antimicrobial or wound-healing properties.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and wound-healing activities of various extracts from all parts of J. podagrica, using different solvents. In addition, the chemical composition of the most effective extract was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Materials and Methods: The leaves, stem, and root of J. podagrica were extracted using hexane, 95% ethanol, ethanol-soluble hexane residue, and aqueous decoction. The antimicrobial effects of the extracts were assessed against five common pathogens found in infected wounds using a microtiter plate-based method. Wound healing activity was evaluated by measuring cell proliferation through the MTT assay and wound closure through the scratch assay in HaCaT cell. The chemical composition of the most effective extract was analyzed by GC-MS.

Results: The hexane root macerated with hexane (RMH) demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial activity compared to the ethanolic root macerated with ethanol (RME), ethanolsoluble residue of root macerated with ethanol (RRE), and aqueous extract root decoction in water (RRE). RMH exhibited the highest antimicrobial effect against Bacillus subtilis, with the values of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration as 312.50 μg/mL, while ampicillin had an MIC of 0.78 μg/mL. However, none of the extracts inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Candida albicans. In the wound healing assays, the aqueous extracts showed the most significant effects on cell proliferation and wound closure. The major compounds identified in the root, such as linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, are known to possess antibacterial properties.

Conclusion: The hexane extract exhibited the most potent antimicrobial effect, while the aqueous extract showed the best wound healing promotion. These findings support the traditional use of J. podagrica root extract as a potential alternative treatment. Further studies in animal models and clinical trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy.

DOI

10.56808/3027-7922.3106

Recommended Citation

Sriyom, Reawfang; Itharat, Arunporn; Prajuabjinda, Onmanee; Panthong, Sumalee; Thongdeeying, Pakakrong; Siriwattanasathorn, Metar; Panthong, Maneewan; and M. Davies, Neal (2025) "Evaluation of antimicrobial and wound healing activities of Jatropha podagrica extracts," The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences: Vol. 49: Iss. 2, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/3027-7922.3106
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/tjps/vol49/iss2/7