Anti-microbial seaweed extracts, compositions and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a crude extract, fractions and sub-fractions from the seaweed Fucus distichus (FD), method of preparation and its use for inhibiting the growth of microbial cells, particularly bacteria causing acne or nosocomial infections such as MRSA in humans or MRSP in dogs.

1 . A method for treating a  Propionibacterium acnes  bacterial infection in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal a growth-inhibiting concentration of a composition comprising a solvent extract from a Fucus distichus (FD) seaweed. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said solvent is aqueous ethanol. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said solvent is between 25% and 80% aqueous ethanol. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said seaweed is previously freeze-dried, grinded into powder form and defatted prior to solvent extraction. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said powder is defatted with hexane. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , said extract being further fractionated with a solvent selected from the group consisting of organic and inorganic solvents. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said fractionation solvent is selected from the group consisting of: hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, water, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extract is an 80% ethanol extract of said FD or a: hexane; ethyl acetate; chloroform; or water fraction from said 80% ethanol extract. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extract is in dried form or in solution.