Investigate Freshwater Algae Extract's Efficacy in Treating Diabetes Ulcers and Its Anti-Staphylococcal Properties.

Background: Infection of diabetic foot ulcer is very common and leads in 20% of cases to amputation. Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the main cause of severe infection. Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge to the global health system. This work aimed to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of some algae extracts against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods: freshwater river samples were collected to isolate the algae, and PCR was used for identification. The ethanol, water, and ethyl acetate extract of these algae were prepared and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the key components that have antibacterial properties. The antibacterial activity of these extracts against S. aureus was determined by broth dilution and well diffusion methods.

Results: Chlorella vulgaris and Anabaena flos-aquae were isolated from freshwater river and identified by PCR. Anabaena flos-aquae has a greater antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus in comparison to Chlorella vulgaris, and the ethanolic extract demonstrated superior outcomes compared to the aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts. The MS spectrum of both algae had a very similar pattern, but the frequency of detected peaks was different.

Conclusions: Ethanolic extract of A. flos-aquae and Chlorella vulgaris can be suggested to treat and control diabetic foot ulcer infection caused by S. aureus. Further studies are required to explore the full potential of these algae safely and extensively.