IN VITRO STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS PINCH ACTIVITY OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT MACLURA AURANTIACA
Staphylococcus aureus is a cause of hospital - and community-acquired infections. In 1996, the first clinical isolate of S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin was reported from Japan. As of June 2002, eight patients with clinical infections caused by vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) have been confirmed in the United States. The emergence of VRSA underscores the need for programs to prevent the spread of antimic- robial-resistant microorganisms and control the use of antimicrobial drugs in health-care settings. Data reveal that Maclura aurantiaca contain active compounds, which could serve as an alternative agent. Further stu-dies would therefore be needed to see its in vivo clinical response and associated toxicities.