AimTo evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Odina wodier bark (OWB), a folk medicine, against representative bacteria, fungi and herpes simplex virus (HSV) associated with skin infections. Methods and ResultsThe OWB extract(s) was found to inhibit the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli at an MIC of 256-5000gml(-1) and Candida albicans at and above 4000gml(-1) by agar and broth dilution assays. The growth curve of Staph.aureus revealed the highest activity within 2-6h of methanol extract (ME) exposure. Interestingly, the MTT and plaque reduction assay showed that the extracts can inhibit HSV-1 and HSV-2 at EC50 of 224 and 288gml(-1), with Selectivity index of 117-15. While the time kinetic and binding assays demonstrated that the ME at 50gml(-1) prevents viral attachment into Vero cells. Phytochemical and HPLC analysis of ME revealed the presence of flavonoids, phytosterols, saponins and tannins including the pseudotannin chlorogenic acid. ConclusionThe traditional use of OWB for the management of skin infections has scientific basis. Significance and Impact of the StudyThis study demonstrated the antimicrobial potential of OWB on selected isolates of bacteria, fungi and HSV, associated with skin infections.