Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts of medicinal plants against canine Staphylococcus isolates: Potential for veterinary dermatology applications

Authors: Romay Coragem da Costa, Rita Magalhães, Gonçalo Pereira, Armindo Paixão, Eva Cunha, Lélia Chambel, and Manuela Oliveira

Ger. J. Vet. Res 2026. vol. 6, Iss. 2 pp:137-151
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2026.2.0194

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Abstract:

Alternative therapeutic approaches, including antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophage therapy, autovaccines, and natural products such as honey and medicinal plants, have emerged as promising strategies for managing canine skin infections in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine. With the global rise in antimicrobial resistance, particularly among canine Staphylococcus species, plant-based therapies represent a viable alternative to conventional antimicrobials. This study investigated the bioactive properties of aqueous extracts from Croton mubango, Tephrosia vogelii, Ipomoea batatas, and Prunus persica leaves collected in Huambo, Angola, to assess its potential for veterinary dermatology applications. The extracts were evaluated in vitro for antibacterial, antioxidant, and hemolytic activities, as well as the effects of storage time and temperature on antibacterial capacity, and the potential of a guar gum (GG) biogel as a vehicle for topical application of the extracts. Data were analyzed using mixed linear and logistic models, followed by Tukey's test (p<0.05). All extracts demonstrated high antioxidant activity, with P. persica exhibiting the highest antioxidant potential in the DPPH assay and C. mubango in the ABTS and FRAP assays. Also, P. persica extract showed the lowest hemolytic activity (10.69%) and the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus species isolated from dogs, which persisted after three months of storage. The GG biogel modulated the antibacterial activity of the extracts, enhancing the inhibitory effect of the T. vogelii extract. These findings underscore the significance of African medicinal plants and identify P. persica as a promising source of natural antibacterial and antioxidant compounds to be used in veterinary medicine for the control of canine skin infections.

Keywords:

Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Dogs, Plant extracts, Skin infections, Staphylococci

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