ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF MELIA AZEDARACH AGAINST BACTERIA CONTAMINATED TINEA PEDIS

Tinea pedis is a common fungal infection of the feet,typically caused by Fungi Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ,it is commonly developes between the toes,and usually causes itching, burning, redness and stinging. Tinea pedis often complicated by secondary bacterial contamination. This study determined the antimicrobial activity of aqueous leaf extract of Melia azedarach against bacteria isolated from contaminated tinea pedis ( Staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, klebsiella, staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella, Escherichia-coli and proteus mirabilis).Disk diffusion method was conducted to test the extract at 50 and 100% concentration of the extract compared with standard antibiotic. The extract displayed a significant antibacterial activity against the organisms particularly on Gram positive Bacteria(Staphylococcus aureus ) with zone of inhibition of 28mm at 100% concentration and Gram negative Bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) with zone of inhibition of 26mm at 100% concentration of the extract.The 100% concentration demonstrated higher efficacy than the 50% concentration with zone of inhibition of 19mm at (Staphylococcusaureus),although the extract activity was lower compared to standard antibiotic. The findings suggest that Melia azedarach leaf extract has potential as natural antibacterial agent against bacterial contamination in tinea pedis it effectiveness against gram positive bacteria such as (Staphylococcus aureus) underscore it possible role in managing secondary bacterial infection in skin. Further in vivo study should conduct to assess safety and efficacy of the plant in living organisms, explore combination therapy with conventional antibiotics to improve treatment outcomes.