Antibacterial treated gauze fabric using Ethiopian indigenous Croton macrostachyus and Rhamnus prinoides leaf extract as potential wound dressing

In this study, two indigenous Ethiopian medicinal plants, namely R. prinoides and C. macrostachyus, were applied into gauze cotton fabric for the first time by pad-cure-dry method, using citric acid as a crosslinker. Various extract concentrations (3%, 5%, and 10%) were applied to fabric to assess their bacterial efficiency against S. aureus and E. coli. Furthermore, an evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxicity and release study, water absorbency, stiffness, and tensile properties were conducted. The incorporation of plant extract into fabric was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The findings of the investigation revealed that a fabric treated with 10% R. prinoides leaf extract exhibited inhibition zones of 8.2 mm against S. aureus and 6.75 mm against E. coli, whereas 10% C. macrostachyus leaf extract treated fabric showed inhibition zone of 5.4 and 2.42 mm, respectively. Fabrics treated with concentrations lower than 10% of the extract in an in vitro study exhibited nontoxic effects, leading to an increase in cell viability rates for both plant extracts. After 48 h, treated fabrics exhibited a release of 73.3%, 75.9%, and 81.8% for R. prinoides leaf extract and 58.3%, 66.1%, and 77.8% for C. macrostachyus extract treated with 3%, 5%, and 10% concentrations, respectively. Furthermore, the plant extract treated fabrics showed an improvement in water absorbency and fabric stiffness. However, statistically, the plant extract concentration has no effect on fabric tensile strength. Generally, an increase in the concentration of plant leaf extract leads to enhanced antibacterial properties, water absorption, and softness.