In vitro total phenolics, flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity of essential oil, various organic extracts from the leaves of tropical medicinal plant Tetrastigma from Sabah

ObjectiveTo detect the in vitro total phenolics, flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity of essential oil, various organic extracts from the leaves of tropical medicinal plant Tetrastigma from Sabah.MethodsThe dry powder leaves of Tetrastigma were extracted with different organic solvent such as hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol and aqueous methanol. The total phenolic and total flavonoids contents of the essential oil and various organic extracts such as hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol and aqueous ethanol were determined by Folin - Ciocalteu method and the assayed antioxidant activity was determined in vitro models such as antioxidant capacity by radical scavenging activity using α, α-diphenyl- β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method.ResultsThe total phenolic contents of the essential oil and different extracts as gallic acid equivalents were found to be highest in methanol extract (386.22 mg/g) followed by ethyl acetate (190.89 mg/g), chloroform (175.89 mg/g), hexane (173.44 mg/g), and butanol extract (131.72 mg/g) and the phenolic contents not detected in essential oil. The antioxidant capacity of the essential oil and different extracts as ascorbic acid standard was in the order of methanol extract > ethyl acetate extract >chloroform> butanol > hexane extract also the antioxidant activity was not detected in essential oil.ConclusionsThe findings show that the extent of antioxidant activity of the essential oil and all extracts are in accordance with the amount of phenolics present in that extract. Leaves of Tetrastigma being rich in phenolics may provide a good source of antioxidant.     

Preliminary study on the antimicrobial activity of Enicostemma littorale using different solvents

ObjectiveTo study the antimicrobial activity of Enicostemma littorale (E. littorale) using different solvents.MethodsChloroform, methanol and acetone extracts of different parts of E. littorale (leaf, stem and root) were evaluated for antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion method against some gram-negative species such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and gram-positive species Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and two fugal species viz., Aspergillus fumigates and Aspergillus flavus.ResultsThe chloroform extracts showed the highest antibacterial activity. Among leaf, stem and root extracts, the stem extracts showed maximum antibacterial activity. All of the used extracts had no significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigates and Aspergillus flavus. The chloroform stem extract showed highest activity (about 20 mm inhibition zone) against Bacillus subtilis (at 500 mg/mL) followed by the methanolic stem extract which showed highest activity against the same organism. The lowest antibacterial activity was observed by the acetone leaf extract (about 8 mm inhibition zone) against Escherichia coli.ConclusionThe findings of the study indicate littorale could also be a new source for antibiotics discovery.     

Antibacterial activity of medicinal plant Cyclea peltata (Lam) Hooks & Thoms

ObjectiveTo investigate the antibacterial activity of Padathaali (Cyclea peltata) against three gram positive and eight gram negative bacterial strains.MethodsThe fresh whole plants were collected from Kerala, India. The dry crude nonpolar and polar extract of whole plant of C. peltata i. e. Petroleum ether, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of five concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 mg/ml) were used to investigate the antibacterial activity. NCCL standards were strictly followed to perform antibacterial disc susceptibility test using disc diffusion method.ResultsAll the extracts showed varying degree of inhibitory potential against all the tested bacteria. Methanol extract of plant had higher inhibitory action against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus vulgaris. Acetone extract of plant showed maximum inhibitory action against Klebsiella pneumonia and Streptococcus haemolyticus.ConclusionsThe present investigation showed the effectiveness of crude extract of this plant against tested bacterial strains. This study further suggests the use of whole plant extract in treating disease caused by tested microbial organisms.     

Monitoring in vitro efficacy of Holarrhena antidysenterica against multidrug resistant enteropathogenic bacteria

ObjectiveTo assess antibacterial activities of leaf and bark extracts of Holarrhena antidysenterica (H. antidysenterica), used by an Indian aborigine for ailments of human gastrointestinal tract, against eight extended spectrum β-lactamase producing multidrug resistant enteropathogens.MethodsAntibacterial activities of eight solvent-extracts of the plant were monitored by the agar-well diffusion method on lawns of all bacteria. Further, minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations of the best three solvent extracts were determined by the micro-broth dilution method. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the active leaf and bark extracts were carried out.ResultsIt was found that Enterobacter aerogenes was resistant to 14 of 16 antibiotics, likewise, Escherichia coli to 13, Klebsiella sp. to 14, Salmonella paratyphi to 7, Salmonella typhi to 15, Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella sonnei to 14, Vibrio cholerae to 4 of 16 antibiotics. It was found that plant-extracts with petroleum ether and n-hexane had the least antibacterial activity. Extracts of leaves with chloroform, methanol, and water registered moderate antibacterial activity, whereas bark-extracts with ethyl acetate, acetone, and ethanol had a comparatively higher antibacterial activity on all these strains. Maximum sizes of zone of inhibition due to leaf extracts with ethyl acetate, acetone, and ethanol, and on the other hand, bark extracts with ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol were recorded against these bacteria; minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of specifically these extracts were determined. Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic bark extract of H. antidysenterica confirmed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, reducing sugars, tannins, and flavonoids.ConclusionData analysis revealed that leaves and bark of H. antidysenterica could serve as complementary/supplementary drugs along with suitable antibiotics to control the marauding multidrug resistant enteropathogens.     

Phytochemical analysis, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Alchornea cordifolia methanol leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Alchornea cordifolia (A. cordifolia) leaf extract.MethodsVarious solvent fractions of the methanol extract of the leaf of the plant A. cordifolia Mull. Arg (Fam: Euphorbiaceae) were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity by carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (SGOT/AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT/ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was also evaluated by the 1, 1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening.ResultsThe ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions, at a dose of 300 mg/kg, produced significant (P<0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing the activities of the serum enzymes and bilirubin while there were marked scavenging of the DPPH free radicals by the fractions. The effects were comparable to those of the standard drugs used for the respective experiments, silymarin and ascorbic acid. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins were detected in the phytochemical screening.ConclusionFrom this study, it was concluded that the plant of A. cordifolia possesses hepatoprotective as well as antioxidant activities and these activities reside mainly in the ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of methanol leaf extract.     

In vitro bioactivity and phytochemical screening of Suaeda maritima (Dumort): a mangrove associate from Bhitarkanika, India

ObjectiveTo investigate the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities along with phytochemical screening of organic and aqueous extracts of leaf and stem of Suaeda maritima (Dumort), a mangrove associate from Bhitarkanika of Odisha, India.MethodsAntioxidant activity of the crude extracts was evaluated in terms of total antioxidant capacity, total phenol content, ascorbic acid content, DPPH radical scavenging, metal chelating, nitric oxide scavenging, and reducing power etc. The antimicrobial activity of the plant was determined by agar well diffusion method along with MIC and MBC carried out by microdilution techniques against 10 gram positive and gram negative human pathogenic bacteria. The qualitative and quantative phytochemical screening were carried out by standard biochemical assays.ResultsOut of the seven antioxidant bioassays, both the leaf and stem extracts were found to posses strong antioxidant properties of 70 % to 92 % for phenol, total antioxidant capacity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and fairly good ascorbic acid content, metal chelating (1.33 %-22.55 %), reducing power (0.01-0.12) and nitric oxide scavenging (0.84 %-66.99 %) activities. Out of the four extracts evaluated for antimicrobial activity, two leaf extracts such as acetone and ethanol showed promising activity against four pathogenic bacteria and one stem methanol extracts against one pathogenic bacteria when compared with amoxcycillin as standard. The MIC and MBC values of the antimicrobial extracts ranged between 2.5 to 5.0 mg/mL. Screening of phytochemicals showed presence of carbohydrates, protein, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids in comparatively higher amount than other phytochemicals tested.ConclusionsThe present study reveals the presence of potential antioxidants and antimicrobial properties in the plant extract which could be exploited for pharmaceutical application.     

Evaluation of extracts and essential oil from Callistemon viminalis leaves: Antibacterial and antioxidant activities,total phenolic and flavonoid contents

ObjectiveTo investigate antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Callistemon viminalis (C. viminalis) leaves.MethodsThe essential oil of C. viminalis leaves obtained by hydro-distillation was analyzed by GC/MS. Different extracts were tested for total phenolic and flavonoid contents and in vitro antioxidant (DPPH assay) and antibacterial (agar disc diffusion and 96-well micro-plates methods) actives.ResultsFourteen components were identified in the essential oil, representing 98.94% of the total oil. The major components were 1,8-cineole (64.53%) and α-pinene (9.69%). Leaf essential oil exhibited the highest antioxidant activity of (88.60±1.51)% comparable to gallic acid, a standard compound [(80.00±2.12)%]. Additionally, the biggest zone of inhibitions against the studied bacterial strains was observed by the essential oil when compared to the standard antibiotic (tetracycline). The crude methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction had a significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains.ConclusionsIt can be suggested that C. viminalis is a great potential source of antibacterial and antioxidant compounds useful for new antimicrobial drugs from the natural basis. The present study revealed that the essential oil as well as the methanol extracts and ethyl acetate fraction of C. viminalis leaves exhibited highly significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains.     

Effect of henna and roselle extracts on pathogenic bacteria

ObjectiveTo investigate the antibacterial effects of water and ethanolic extracts of henna leaves and roselle calyxes against pathogenic bacteria isolated from domestic wastewater.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity was determined in the extracts using agar disc diffusion method. The antibacterial activities of extracts (2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% w/v) of both henna and roselle were tested against one Gram-positive Bacillius subtilis; two Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa human pathogenic bacteria.ResultsEthanolic extracts had more antimicrobial activity than water extracts. Ethanolic extract of roselle had the highest antibacterial activity against all tested organisms, followed with ethanolic extract of henna. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive bacteria to plant extracts.ConclusionThe results of this study suggested that roselle contains more phyto-chemicals with antimicrobial activity than henna on the bacteria strains under study, and these phyto-chemicals were more effective when extracted by ethanol rather than water.     

Evaluation of larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts against three mosquito vectors

ObjectiveTo evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of plant extracts.MethodsThe hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol leaf, flower and seed extracts of Abrus precatorius (A. precatorius), Croton bonplandianum (C. bonplandianum), Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon), Musa paradisiaca (M. paradisiaca) and Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum) were tested against fourth instar larvae of Anopheles vagus (An. vagus), Armigeres subalbatus (Ar. subalbatus) and Culex vishnui (Cx. vishnui).ResultsThe highest larval mortality was found in seed ethyl acetate extracts of A. precatorius and leaf extracts of C. bonplandianum, flower chloroform and methanol extracts of M. paradisiaca, and flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against An. vagus with LC₅₀ values of 19.31, 39.96, 35.18, 79.90 and 85.90 μg/mL; leaf ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. dactylon, flower methanol extract of M. paradisiaca, flower bud methanol extract of S. aromaticum against Ar. subalbatus with LC₅₀ values of 21.67, 32.62, 48.90 and 78.28 μg/mL, and seed methanol of A. precatorius, flower methanol extract of M. paradisiaca, flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against Cx. vishnui with LC₅₀ values of 136.84, 103.36 and 149.56 μg/mL, respectively.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the effective plant crude extracts have the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of disease vectors. This study provides the first report on the larvicidal activity of crude solvent extracts of different mosquitoes.     

Antibacterial activities of some Indian traditional plant extracts

ObjectiveTo evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts of South Indian traditional medicinal plants Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum, Aegle marmelos, and Adhatoda vasica leaves against clinical pathogens of human origin.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of different solvents crude extract of four medicinal plants used in traditional Indian medicine was tested by disc diffusion method against five bacterial pathogens: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi and klebsiella pneumoniae.. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined for evaluating the potential plant extract.ResultsThe antibacterial results showed methanol extracts (0.4 g/ml) of Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum sanctum showed maximum zone of inhibition (30 mm and 25.5 mm, respectively) against Salmonella typhi. MIC was tested at various concentrations from 0.625 mg/ml to 0.039 mg/ml for all the plant extracts. At the lowest concentration (0.039mg/ml) tested, methanol extracts of Ocimum gratissimum showed higher MIC against Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi where as the methanolic extracts of Ocimum gratissimum showed potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus at 0.078 mg/ml. Methanol extract (0.4 g/ml) of Aegle marmelos showed significant inhibitory activity of 22.5mm and MIC value of 0.156.mg/ml against E. coli strain. The Klebsiella spp was the most resistant strain of all and various concentrations Adhatoda vasica extract showed less activity against the tested pathogens.ConclusionsThe present screening result demonstrated that the Indian traditional medicinal plants Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum, Aegle marmelos methanol leaf extract has potent antibacterial activity and the studied plants may be new source for novel antibacterial compound discovery for treating drugs resistant human pathogens.     

Insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of bulb extracts of Allium sativum

ObjectiveTo evaluate the insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of bulb extracts of Allium sativum (A. sativum).MethodsDried bulbs of A. sativum were extracted with different solvents and evaluated for insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.MethodsAqueous and methanol extracts showed highest insecticidal activity (mortality rate of 81% and 64% respectively) against the larvae of Spodoptera litura (S. litura) at a concentration of 1 000 ppm. With regard to antimicrobial activity, aqueous extract exhibited antibacterial activity against gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureu,) and gram negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia) strains and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. While methanol extract showed antimicrobial activity against all the tested micro organisms except two (Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans), the extracts of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate did not show any anti microbial activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration of aqueous and methanol extracts against tested bacterial and fungal strains was 100–150 μg/mL. Antioxidant activity of the bulb extracts was evaluated in terms of inhibition of free radicals by 2, 2′-diphenly-1-picrylhydrazyl. Aqueous and methanol extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity (80%–90% of the standard).ConclusionsAntioxidant and antimicrobial activity of A. sativum against the tested organisms therefore, provides scientific basis for its utilization in traditional and folk medicine. Also, our results demonstrated the insecticidal efficacy of A. sativum against S. litura, a polyphagous insect.     

Antibacterial activity of leaves and inter-nodal callus extracts of Mentha arvensis L

ObjectiveTo determine the anti-bacterial efficacy of chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate and water extracts of inter-nodal and leaves derived calli extracts from Mentha arvensis (M. arvensis) against Salmonella typhi(S. typhi), Streptococcus pyogenes(S. pyogenes), Proteus vulgaris(P. vulgaris) and Bacillus subtilis(B. subtilis).MethodsThe inter-nodal and leaves segments of M. arvensis were cut into 0.5-0.7 cm in length and cultured on Murashige and Skoog solid medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, gelled with 0.7% agar and different concentration of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetie acid (2,4-D) either alone or in combinations. The preliminary phytochemical screening was performed by Brindha et al method. Antibacterial efficacy was performed by disc diffusion method and incubated for 24 h at 37 °C.ResultsMaximum percentage of callus formation (inter-nodal segments 84.3 ± 0.78; leaves segments 93.8 ± 1.27) was obtained on Murashige and Skoog's basal medium supplemented with 3% sucrose and 1.5 mg/L of 2, 4-D. The ethanol extracts of leaves derived calli showed the maximum bio-efficacy than other solvents. The leaves and stem derived calli extracts on Proteus sp. showed that the plants can be used in the treatment of urinary tract infection associated with Proteus sp. Through the bacterial efficacy studies, it is confirmed that the in vitro raised calli tissue was more effective compared to in vivo tissue.ConclusionsThe bio-efficacy study confirmed that the calli mediated tissues showed the maximum zone of inhibition. The present study paved a protocol to establish high potential cell lines by in vitro culture.     

Antibacterial activity and characterization of secondary metabolites isolated from mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis

ObjectiveTo explore antibacterial activity and characterization of secondary metabolites isolated from mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis (A. officinalis).MethodsIn the present study the leaf extracts of A. officinalis were examined for its antibacterial potential using five different solvents against some reference strains of human pathogenic bacteria for the crude extract. Maximum activity was observed for ethyl acetate and hence different concentrations like 15 μL, 25 μL, and 50 μL of ethyl extracts was checked for its antibacterial activity. Partial purification of crude extract was carried by column chromatography and fractions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify compounds.ResultsThe crude ethyl acetate extracts of A. officinalis showed remarkable antibacterial activity with zones of inhibition of 13 mm against Eschericia coli (E. coli) and 11 mm against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Fraction 13 (ethyl acetate÷methanol= 8÷2) as the most potent one against with the minimal inhibitory concentration of 30 mm against E. coli and 25 mm against S. aureus. The GCMS resultsof active column fraction (F13) revealed that the active principals were a mixture of hydroxy-4 methoxybenzoic acid, diethyl phthalate, oleic acid.ConclusionsThe leaf extracts with proven antibacterial effects can clearly be directed towards cancer treatment as to inhibiting cancer cell growth. The limited number of test organisms owes to a constraint of resource. So, the effect of strong bursts of leaf extracts on human pathogenic bacteria should further be tested on a wide range of test organisms.     

Free radical scavenging property and antiproliferative activity of Rhodiola imbricata Edgew extracts in HT-29 human colon cancer cells

ObjectiveTo investigate the in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of rhizome extracts of Rhodiola imbricata (R. imbricata) in HT-29 human colon cancer cell line.MethodsThe successively extracted rhizome of R. imbricata using various solvents was analyzed for their total phenolics, tannins and flavonoid contents. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by employing different assays, including DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging assays, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum reduction assay, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and metal chelating ability.ResultsAcetone and methanol extracts recorded higher phenolic content and showed comparable antioxidant activity with standard reference. Additionally, they also inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells upon treatment at higher concentration (200 μg/mL) (acetone and methanol, 84% and 84%, respectively). On examination acetone extract exhibited antiproliferative activity in a concentration dependent manner whereas, methanol extract showed both dose dependent and time dependent inhibitory activity.ConclusionsThe results obtained justify the traditional usage of R. imbricata from their promising antioxidant activity.     

A comparative in vitro antioxidant potential profile of extracts from different parts of Fagonia cretica

ObjectiveTo evaluate antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of organic extracts from fruit, roots and aerial parts of Fagonia cretica.MethodsShed dried and powdered plant parts were initially extracted in methanol and subsequently partitioned in n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and 1-butanol successively. Antioxidant and radical scavenging potential of the methanol extracts and the fractions of each part were evaluated using total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation radicals scavenging, reducing power (potassium ferricyanide-trichloroacetic acid system), ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential, lipid peroxidation inhibition activity (linoleic acid system) and total antioxidant activity (phosphomolybdate) assays.ResultsTPC and TFC values for methanol extracts and various fractions ranged from 0.23-4.30 mg/L gallic acid equivalents and from 30-545 mg/L rutin equivalents, respectively. Overall, methanol extracts and all the fractions of root and aerial parts showed higher TPC and TFC values. Methanol extracts and aqueous fractions of root and aerial parts and the n-butanol fraction of root showed lower EC₅₀ values for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging than the other plant extracts. The 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging, total antioxidant potential and ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential values confirmed the presence of potent antioxidant principles in the methanol extract of roots. In general, all the extracts/fractions and especially those of root showed high antioxidant and radical scavenging activities.ConclusionsThe crude methanol extract of root can be explored further for in vivo studies. This study revealed the potent antioxidant potential of Fagonia cretica and its prospective efficacy against various reactive oxygen species-mediated diseases.     

Estimation of total phenolic content,cytotoxicity and in–vitro antioxidant activity of stem bark of Moringa oleifera

ObjectiveTo assess the phytochemical constituents, total phenolic content, cytotoxicity and in-vitro antioxidant activity of stem bark extracts of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) (Moringaceae).MethodsBrine shrimp lethality (BSL) bioassay was used to investigate the cytotoxic effects. DPPH and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity was used to demonstrate antioxidant activity.ResultsPhytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids and alkaloids. The LC₅₀ values were obtained for extracts as 850 μg/mL for petroleum ether extract, 800 μg/mL for chloroform extract and 900 μg/mL for methanol extract. The total phenolic content of the methanolic extract was 50.72% w/w, equivalent to gallic acid. Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanolic extracts of M. oleifera and standard ascorbic acid were found to be scavenger of DPPH radical with an IC₅₀ of 124.75, 112.08, 54.34 and 13.86 μg/mL, respectively. Methanolic extract was found to be good scavenger of DPPH radical. Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanolic extracts of M. oleifera and ascorbic acid were found to be scavenger of nitric oxide radical with an IC₅₀ of 93.32, 65.12, 54.83 and 12.59 μg/mL, respectively. Ethyl acetate soluble fraction was found to be good scavenger of nitric oxide radical.ConclusionsIt can be concluded that the crude extracts of M. oleifera is a potential source of natural antioxidants, and this justifies its uses in folkloric medicines.     

Efficacy of fresh leaf extracts of Spondias mombin against some clinical bacterial isolates from typhoid patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the phytochemical properties and antibacterial activity of methanol, acetone, ethanol and aqueous extracts of fresh leaves of Spondias mombin (S. mombin) on some clinical bacterial isolates.MethodsClean and fresh leaves of S. mombin were collected in Ondo, Southwestern Nigeria. The leaves were blended, extracted with methanol, acetone, ethanol and water. The extracts were evaporated to dryness using rotary evaporator and tested for the presence of saponins, tannins, cardiac glycoside, terpenoids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, volatile oils, alkaloids and glycoside. The extract were tested against Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhi and Enterobacter aerogens; Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus by observing the zones of inhibition using agar well diffusion assay.ResultsThe study showed that the leaves contained saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and glycoside. All the solvent extracts showed activity against all the test bacteria. The methanol extract also showed the highest activity against Enterobacter aerogens, zone of diameter (15.00依1.89) mm, while the ethanol extract showed the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus with zone of diameter (12.50依1.50) mm. The acetone extract showed the highest activity against Salmonella typhi, zone of diameter (17.50依0.29) mm followed by methanol extract showing zone of diameter (15.67依1.01) mm. The acetone extract showed the highest activity against Klebsiella pneumonia (15.17依0.67) mm, while the aqueous extract shows the highest activity against Serratia marcescens (14.67依2.68) mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the leaf extracts ranged between 10-90 mg/mL.ConclusionsThis study showed that the aqueous and organic solvents extract of fresh leaves of S. mombin has anti-microbial activity against all the tested organisms.     

Mosquito repellent properties of Delonix elata (L.) gamble (Family: Fabaceae) against filariasis vector,Culex quinquefasciatus Say. (Diptera: Culicidae)

ObjectiveTo determine the repellent activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, benzene, chloroform and methanol extract of Delonix elata (D. elata) leaf and seed against Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus).MethodsEvaluation was carried out in a net cage (45 cm×30 cm×25 cm) containing 100 blood starved female mosquitoes of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Repellent activity was carried out in the laboratory conditions according to the WHO 2009 protocol. Plant crude extracts of D. elata were applied at 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/cm² separately in the exposed fore arm of study subjects. Ethanol was used as the sole control.ResultsIn this study, the applied plant crude extracts were observed to protect against mosquito bites. There were no allergic reactions experienced by the study subjects. The repellent activity of the extract was dependent on the strength of the extract. Among the tested solvents, the leaf and seed methanol extract showed the maximum efficacy. The highest concentration of 5.0 mg/cm² provided over 150 min and 120 min protection, respectively.ConclusionsCrude extracts of D. elata exhibit the potential for controlling Cx. quinquefasciatus, the mosquito vector of filariasis.     

Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of Phyla nodiflora extracts on human breast cancer cell line

IntroductionCancer is a disease of gene disorder that occurs in the normal processes of cell division. Undesirable side effects of chemotherapy and surgery have triggered the search of new compounds from plant to fight cancer because they are relatively safer than synthetic drugs. Apoptosis is a process of internally programmed cell death, which is initiated by intrinsic or extrinsic signals. It plays important roles in cancer development and treatment, thus the ability of bioactive compounds to increase the sensitivity of cancerous cells towards cellular damage and activate the apoptotic response is the most desirable. Phylanodiflora has been used as folk medicine for various ailments. It is known to have various biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective and antimelanogenesis effects but their underlying molecular events are largely unknown.ObjectiveTo study the antiproliferative and apoptosis activity of P.nodiflora in MCF7 cells.MethodsThe leaf and stem of this plant was extracted separately using methanol and ethyl acetate. The free radical scavenging activity of the plant extracts was determined using DPPH antioxidant assay, while the proliferation assay was performed using MTT method. DNA fragmentation induced by the plant extracts was evaluated through DNA extraction.Results & DiscussionCompared to stem extracts (1.2134 mg/ml and 0.9877 mg/ml for ethyl acetate and methanol respectively), both leaf extracts exhibited lower EC₅₀ values (0.4271 mg/ml and 0.6177 mg/ml for ethyl acetate and methanol respectively) which indicating higher antioxidant activity. MTT results showed that MCF7 cells were inhibited by all the extracts with IC₅₀ ranging from 90–120 μg/ml. DNA extracted from treated cells showed the formation of DNA laddering suggesting the occurrence of apoptosis.ConclusionThe results suggest that Phyla nodiflora extracts are capable of inhibiting cancer cell growth via apoptosis.     

Radical scavenging and antibacterial activity of Arnebia benthamii methanol extract

ObjectiveTo evaluate in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of methanolic extract of Arnebia benthamii (A. benthamii) whole plant.MethodsPlasmid damage was analyzed by agarose gell electrophoresis. Calf thymus DNA was monitored by TBARS formation. DPPH, reducing power and lipid peroxidation was evaluated by using standard procedures. Antibacterial assay was monitored by disc diffusion method.ResultsDPPH radical scavenging and hydroxyl radical scavenging potential of the plant revealed that the extract to be active radical scavenger. Reducing (Fe³⁺-Fe²⁺) power and lipid peroxidation inhibition efficiency (TBARS assay) of the extract was also evaluated and the extract showed promising activity in preventing lipid peroxidation and might prevent oxidative damages to biomolecules. The extract offered a significant protection against plasmid and calf thymus DNA damage induced by hydroxyl radicals. The extract was also evaluated on different bacterial strains and the maximum antibacterial activity was exhibited against Escherichia coli (E. coli) when compared with standard drug.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that the methanol extract of A. benthamii has excellent anti-oxidant activities and could be considered as a potential source of lead molecules for pharmaceutical industries.