Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) leaf extract exerts in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo anticolonizing activities against Shigella dysenteriae 1 (NT4907) and Shigella flexneri 2a (2457T) in induced diarrhea in suckling mice.

In this study, the extract of a green leafy vegetable Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) was evaluated for its in vitro antibacterial and in vivo anti colonizing effect against common intestinal pathogenic bacteria. Methanolic extract (80%) of Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) leaf contained a polyphenol content of 910 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight and the yield was 8%. The flavonoid content was 2.353 g quercetin equivalent per 100 g of the extract. In vitro studies indicated that the extract inhibited numerous pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25922), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25923), Shigella dysenteriae 1 (NT4907), Shigella flexneri 2a (2457T), Shigella boydii 4 (BCH612), and Shigella sonnie phase I (IDH00968). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against E. coli (ATCC 25923) was minimal (0.08 mg/mL), whereas MIC against S. flexneri 2a (2457T) was higher (0.13 mg/mL). A suckling mouse model was developed which involved challenging the mice intragastrically with S. flexneri 2a (2457T) and S. dysenteriae 1 (NT4907) to study the anticolonization activity. It was revealed that the extract was more potent against S. dysenteriae 1 (NT4907) as compared to S. flexneri 2a (2457T). It was also found that simultaneous administration of extract along with bacterial inoculums promoted good anticolonization activity. Significant activity was observed even when treated after 3 h of bacterial inoculation.