Phytochemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Medicinal Plants Against Bacterial Pathogens Isolated From Livestock Wound Infections

Livestock wound infections are a major challenge in veterinary medicine due to the increasing prevalence of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of selected medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of livestock wound infections. A total of 250 livestock wound samples were processed using standard bacteriological methods, resulting in the identification of 216 bacterial isolates. The predominant bacterial pathogens included Staphylococcus aureus (19.2%), Escherichia coli (13.6%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (12.0%), Streptococcus agalactiae (9.2%), Salmonella Typhimurium (9.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.0%), Enterococcus faecalis (7.6%), and Proteus mirabilis (7.6%). Methanol, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of Withania somnifera, Achyranthes aspera, Verbascum sinaiticum, Aloe vera, and Capparis zeylanica were evaluated for antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and phenolic compounds in most plant extracts. Among the tested plants, Withania somnifera exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones ranging from 21 to 24 mm, while Achyranthes aspera demonstrated notable activity against E. coli, producing inhibition zones of 13-17 mm. Overall, Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible to the plant extracts than Gram-negative bacteria. These findings suggest that the investigated medicinal plants possess significant antibacterial potential and may serve as promising alternative therapeutic agents for the management of livestock wound infections.