Effect of Java plum (Syzygium cumini) leave extract and a silver nanoparticles synthesis on pathogens in skin diseases of dogs.

Background: Antibiotic use has been rising in both humans and animals. The growing concern over antimicrobial drug resistance and the promotion of regional drug use have led to a rise in the interest in medicinal applications of herbs combined with biosynthesized nanoparticles.

Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial and acaricidal effects of Syzygium cumini leaves crude extract (Sc-CE) and biosynthesized S. cumini silver nanoparticles (Sc-AgNPs) on dog skin pathogens and determined the optimal concentration and time for in vitro application.

Methods: Syzygium cumini leaves (Sc) were prepared as Sc-CE and Sc-AgNPs. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized employing various techniques, including dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Phytochemical analyses were conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry screening. Antimicrobial activity was examined against gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, yeast strains including Malassezia pachydermatis and Candida albicans, and ectoparasite. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on canine primary dermal fibroblast (CPDF) using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.

Results: The Sc-AgNPs exhibited nanoparticle sizes ranging from 100 to 350 nm with aggregated spherical shape and contained Ag element in this nanoparticle. Myricetin and Phloretin were among the extracted compounds, contributing to the reduction of pathogenic organisms. Sc-AgNPs showed high efficacy against skin pathogens compared to Sc-CE, with a lower cytotoxicity effect on CPDF.

Conclusion: The Sc-AgNPs demonstrated superior efficiency against pathogens in dog skin diseases as both concentration- and time-dependent and were deemed safe to CPDF within 24 hours.