Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: The rise of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in surgical site infections necessitates the development of non-resistant therapeutic adjuvants. Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) possesses known antimicrobial properties, yet its specific immunomodulatory effects on the MRSA-induced cytokine storm and wound chronicity remain under-characterized. This study investigated the efficacy of a standardized ethanolic extract of S. aromaticum flower buds in modulating the inflammatory milieu and accelerating wound repair.


Methods: A true experimental study was conducted using 30 male Wistar rats with MRSA-infected dorsal excision wounds. Subjects were randomized into six groups (n=5): Normal Control (K1), Negative Control (MRSA+Vehicle, K2), Positive Control (MRSA+Vancomycin, K3), and treatment groups receiving 25 mg (P1), 50 mg (P2), and 100 mg/200g BW (P3) of extract orally for 10 days. The extract was characterized via HPLC. Serum TNF-α, CRP, and IL-10 were quantified by ELISA. Secondary outcomes included bacterial load reduction and macroscopic wound contraction rates.


Results: HPLC analysis confirmed eugenol (68.4%) and β-caryophyllene (12.1%) as major constituents. MRSA infection (K2) provoked a severe inflammatory state (TNF-α: 17.92 ± 0.42 pg/mL; IL-10: 110.21 ± 2.72 pg/mL). The 100 mg extract dose (P3) significantly suppressed TNF-α (7.40 ± 0.48 pg/mL, p<0.001) and normalized IL-10 (49.92 ± 2.56 pg/mL), demonstrating non-inferiority to Vancomycin (p=1.000). Bacterial load was reduced by 4 log units (1.2 × 10³ vs 5.8 × 10⁷ CFU/g).


Conclusion: Standardized S. aromaticum extract functions as a potent immunomodulator, resolving MRSA-induced inflammation by balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby facilitating the transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase of healing.

Keywords

Cytokine storm Immunomodulation MRSA Syzygium aromaticum Wound healing

Article Details

How to Cite
Rizal Arief Muttaqien, Eriawan Agung Nugroho, & Gina Yunita Joice Sitorus. (2026). Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry Extract Restores Immune Homeostasis and Accelerates Healing in MRSA-Infected Wounds: A Mechanistic In Vivo Study via Downregulation of TNF-α, CRP, and IL-10. Bioscientia Medicina : Journal of Biomedicine and Translational Research, 10(3), 856-866. https://doi.org/10.37275/bsm.v10i3.1535