Ethanolic extracts of Nymphaea lotus leaves were tested for antibacterial activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) isolated from wounds and urine using disc diffusion method(DDM) .The results of the phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of bio-active compounds such as tannins, terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, cardiac glycosides and phenolics. The results also showed that both MRSA and VRSA were susceptible to Nymphaea lotus at different concentrations (5, 10, 20, 40, 80) mg/ml). The zones of inhibition ranged from 8.0 ± 0.5mm to 24.0 ± 1.0mm in MRSA and from 8.0 ± 0.5mm to 27.0± 1.0mm. The results also showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) ranging from 5 to 15 and 10-30 for MRSA and VRSA respectively. The antibacterial activity of Nymphaea lotus extracts against MRSA and VRSA showed the plant active compounds as a possible potential antibiotic substance for the treatment and management of staphylococci infections.
