Antimicrobial activity of crude henna extract against Gram-positive bacteria

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of ethanolic extract of local Basra henna leaves on Gram-positive bacteria species. Also, to assess the antibacterial properties of henna crude extract in vitro and compare them with antibiotics. Methods: In this study, Lawsonia inermis (henna) leaves were extracted with ethanol using the solvent extraction technique. The pathogens were isolated from wound samples obtained from hospitalized patients in two different hospitals in Duhok city. The culture of thirty isolates had been recognized by routine methods. Different concentrations of ethanol crude extract were acquired and bio-assayed in vitro to inhibit the growth of five human pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria. Agar well diffusion assay was used for achieving henna antibiotic activity. Moreover, an antibiotics susceptibility test was done by the disk diffusion method using the Muller-Hinton agar medium. Results: The growth of all tested bacteria was suppressed to various degrees by increasing the concentration of the extract. The data has revealed that Staphylococcus aureus was more sensitive than other examined isolates, where the diameter zone of inhibition was ranging from 16-27, 14-25, and 8-18 mm for Staphylococcus epidermidis, Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus pneumonia respectively. The antimicrobial activity of henna extract indicates that it is suitable for being used as significant certain medications. Consequently, henna is active to serve as an anti-bacterial agent against multi-drug resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity of henna extract indicates that it is suitable for being used as significant certain medications. Consequently, henna is active to serve as an anti-bacterial agent against multi-drug resistant Gram-positive bacteria.

Environmental friendly application of ultrasonic rays for extraction of natural colorant from Harmal (P. harmala) for dyeing of bio-mordanted silk

Global heat, carcinogenic, and viral diseases created due to industrial pollutants has led people to shift toward natural products particularly natural dyes in all walks of life. In this study, U.S. rays up-to 60 min, were used to extract the color in aqueous medium and employed onto silk fabric at selected conditions. It has been observed that good color strength has been found when 30 mL of acidic extract ( pH = 4.0) obtained from 6.0 g of Harmal powder containing 3.0 g/100 mL of salt as an exhausting agent was employed onto the US treated silk at 65ºC for 55 min. The utilization of the extract obtained from 7% of pomegranate as post-bio-mordant, 3% of acacia extract as meta-bio-mordant, and 7% of henna extract as meta-bio-mordants has given excellent color strength. In comparison, 5% of Al salt as meta mordant, 5% of Fe salt as pre mordant, and 7% of tannic acid as meta-mordant has given better results. ISO standard methods for fastness employed onto optimum mordanted dyed fabrics have given well to excellent fastness ratings. Hence, natural colorant extracted from Harmal seeds has excellent coloring efficacy to dye silk fabric under sustainable conditions, whereas the addition of eco-friendly mordants for shade development process has made the coloration of silk more sustainable with improved colorfastness properties.