Evaluating the Efficacy of Hydrogel Patches Containing Jatropha Podagrica Leaf Extracts and Natural Rubber Against Staphylococcus aureus Infections

Antibiotic resistance is no longer a distant threat as it is a present danger. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, a bacterium that naturally inhabits human skin, has evolved into a formidable adversary in clinical settings, especially in the form of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). With conventional antibiotics becoming less effective, researchers are looking to nature’s pharmacy for solutions. One such candidate is Jatropha Podagrica, a tropical shrub used in traditional medicine. Its leaves contain a rich array of diterpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids, all of which have demonstrated antimicrobial activity. When integrated into hydrogel matrices, these compounds offer a dual function: antimicrobial action and enhanced wound healing. Combined with natural rubber, which adds elasticity and biocompatibility, the resulting hydrogel patch becomes a biologically active wound dressing. This study investigates the antimicrobial potential of this formulation against clinical strains of S. aureus.