In Vivo Evaluation of Anti-Mycobacterial Activity of a Phytomedicine “MATHESIA” on Mycobacterium ulcerans: Influence of Alkalinity on the Activity of Antibiotics Used in the Treatment of Buruli Ulcer

Abstract

The present study reports the in vivo anti-Mycobacterial Activity of a Phytomedicine “MATHESIA” on Mycobacterium ulcerans. It also explores the influence of ethanolamine (alkali agent) on the in vivo activity of some antibiotics (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol) used in the treatment of Buruli ulcers in DR Congo. Experiments were conducted on adult white Wistar rats of both sexes with the weights comprising between 110 - 165 g. The result obtained have shown that the phytomedicine MATHESIA (pH 10) has a good in vivo activity on M. ulcerans and the duration for wounds healing and total cicatrization was 6 days; whereas this duration was 10, 12, 14, and 16 days respectively for Rifampicin (IV, pH 10), Kibadi’s solution (X, pH 10), Ethambutol (VIII, pH 10) and Isoniazid (VI, pH 10). The result also showed that the use of the ethanolamine as alkali compounded in the treatment of wounds due to Buruli ulcer along with other antibiotics reduced considerably the duration of complete healing comparatively to their solutions at pH bellow or equal to 7.