Anti-enteric bacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of the seed kernel extract of Mangifera indica Linnaeus against Shigella dysenteriae (Shiga, corrig.) Castellani and Chalmers

ObjectiveTo evaluate the phytochemical and anti-bacterial efficacy of the seed kernel extract of Mangifera indica (M. indica) against the enteropathogen, Shigella dysenteriae (S. dysenteriae), isolated from the diarrhoeal stool specimens.MethodsThe preliminary phytochemical screening was performed by the standard methods as described by Harborne. Cold extraction method was employed to extract the bioactive compounds from mango seed kernel. Disc diffusion method was adopted to screen antibacterial activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated by agar dilution method. The crude extracts were partially purified by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and the fractions were analyzed by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) to identify the bioactive compounds.ResultsPhytochemical scrutiny of M. indica indicated the presence of phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, gums, flavanoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and xanthoproteins. Antibacterial activity was observed in two crude extracts and various fractions viz. hexane, benzene, chloroform, methanol and water. MIC of methanol fraction was found to be (95±11.8) μg/mL. MIC of other fractions ranged from 130–380 μg/mL.ConclusionsThe present study confirmed that each crude extracts and fractions of M. indica have significant antimicrobial activity against the isolated pathogen S. dysenteriae. The antibacterial activity may be due to the phytochemical constituents of the mango seed kernel. The phytochemical tannin could be the reason for its antibacterial activity.     

Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Lamiaceae) on clinically isolated dermatophytic fungi

ObjectiveTo assess antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves against dermatophytic fungi.MethodsAntifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves was measured by 38 A NCCLS method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of various extracts and fractions of Ocimum sanctum leaves were also determined.ResultsOcimum sanctum leaves possessed antifungal activity against clinically isolated dermatophytes at the concentration of 200 μg/mL. MIC and MFC were high with water fraction (200 μg/mL) against dermatophytic fungi used.ConclusionsOcimum sanctum has antifungal activity, and the leaf extracts may be a useful source for dermatophytic infections.     

In vitro antibacterial potential of some Vitex species against human pathogenic bacteria

ObjectiveTo study the antibacterial activity of the leaf methanol extracts of five different species of Vitex namely, Vitex altissima (V. altissima), Vitex diversifolia (V. diversifolia), Vitex negundo (V. negundo), Vitex peduncularis (V. peduncularis) and Vitex trifolia (V. trifolia).MethodsAntibacterial assay was carried out by using disc diffusion method, determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) against five strains of Gram-positive and seven strains of Gram-negative human pathogenic bacterial strains.ResultsThe results of antibacterial activity of Vitex species showed that the extracts possessed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The V. peduncularis possessed the highest activity against all the microorganisms screened. It produced a zone of inhibition ranged between (11.000 ± 0.577) and (22.670 ± 0.667) mm and the MIC values were from 62.5 to 1 000.0 μg/mL and the MBC values were from 125.0 to 2 000.0 μg/mL.ConclusionsBased on the present study, V. peduncularis is recommended for the isolation of antibacterial molecule responsible for the activity against the tested human pathogenic bacterial strains.     

Phytochemical screening and comparative antimicrobial potential of different extracts of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves

ObjectiveTo evaluate in vitro antimicrobial potential and phytochemical screening of the crude extracts of leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.MethodsThe essential oil and crude extracts were prepared by using different usual method. Antimicrobial and antifungal activities were measured by the well established methods.ResultsHighest antifungal index [(12.13±0.08) mm)] and lowest antifungal index [(9.13±0.04) mm] as well as highest antibacterial index [(11.89±0.07) mm] and lowest antibacterial index [(7.24±0.03) mm] were obtained for extracts B, H, A and F, respectively. Invariably extract C, E, I, J and H did not show antimicrobial activity. The extract F showed all antifungal and antibacterial activity except Bacillus cereus and Bacillus megaterium.ConclusionsThe above findings support the idea that plant extracts of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves may have a role to be used as pharmaceuticals or preservatives.     

Phytochemical screening,anti-oxidant activity and in vitro anticancer potential of ethanolic and water leaves extracts of Annona muricata (Graviola)

ObjectiveTo determine the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and anticancer activities of ethanolic and water leaves extracts of Annona muricata (A. muricata) from the Eastern Uganda.MethodsPhytochemical screening was conducted using standard qualitative methods and a Chi-square goodness of fit test was used to assign the relative abundance of the different phytochemicals. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and reducing power methods whereas the in vitro anticancer activity was determined using three different cell lines.ResultsPhytochemical screening of the extracts revealed that they were rich in secondary class metabolite compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins and lactones, anthraquinones, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phenols and phytosterols. Total phenolics in the water extract were (683.69±0.09) μg/mL gallic acid equivalents (GAE) while it was (372.92±0.15) μg/mL GAE in the ethanolic extract. The reducing power was 216.41 μg/mL in the water extract and 470.51 μg/mL GAE in the ethanolic extract. In vitro antioxidant activity IC₅₀ was 2.0456 mg/mL and 0.9077 mg/mL for ethanolic and water leaves extracts of A. muricata respectively. The ethanolic leaves extract was found to be selectively cytotoxic in vitro to tumor cell lines (EACC, MDA and SKBR3) with IC₅₀ values of 335.85 μg/mL, 248.77 μg/mL, 202.33 μg/mL respectively, while it had no cytotoxic effect on normal spleen cells. The data also showed that water leaves extract of A. muricata had no anticancer effect at all tested concentrations.ConclusionsThe results showed that A. muricata was a promising new antioxidant and anticancer agent.     

A survey on Hibiscus rosa—sinensis,Alcea rosea L. and Malva neglecta Wallr as antibacterial agents

ObjectiveTo guide for selection of plants with antibacterial activity for further phytochemical works on the isolation and identification of the active compounds.MethodsEthanolic extracts of 3 species from Malvaceae family were evaluated by agar disc diffusion method for antibacterial activity against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus anthracis, Escherichia coli Streptococcus pyogenes). The extracts were obtained from aerial parts of Hibiscus rosa (H. rosa)-sinensis (leaf and flower), Alcea rosea (A. rosea) L. (leaf and flower) and Malva neglecta (M. neglecta) Wallr (flower).ResultsThese extracts had inhibitory effects at different concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.40 g/mL) against above mentioned bacteria. Escherichia coli was the most resistant strain. The highest inhibitory zone was showed by ethanolic extract of M. neglecta against Staphylococcus epidermidis (22 mm) and followed by ethanolic extract from flower of H. rosa against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus (20 mm). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values against Staphylococcus epidermidis were equal (MIC=MBC=5 mg/mL for M. neglecta extract and for H. rosa extract MIC=MBC=20 mg/mL).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that these native plants have good antibacterial properties that can be used for infection control and treatment and could also be as new source for antibiotics discovery and infection treatment.     

Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and apoptotic activities of Cyperus rotundus

Objective:To evaluate in vitro antioxidant and apoptotic activities of Crperus rotundas(C.rotundus).Methods:The phytochemical study and the antioxidant activities of both methanol and aqueous extracts from C.rotundus aerial part were determined.In addition,these extracts were also investigated for their cytotoxic and apoptotic activities.The major compound of the methanol extract was isolated.Both metlianol and aqueous extracts(300,150,and 50μg/mL)were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay system.However,16,8,and 4 mg/mL of each extract were tested to investigate their OH.formation scavenging potential.Aqueous extract(800,400.and 200μg/mL)and melhunol extract(350,175,and 88μg/mL)were tested against lipid peroxidation,induced by 75μM H_2O_2,The cytotoxicity(by MTT assay)and cell DNA fragmentation of both extracts were evaluated Inwards K562 and L1210 cell lines.The major compound was obtained from the butanol fraction of methanol extract and its structure was determined by KMN spectroscopic analysis.Results:The methanol and aqueous extracts showed respectively,88%and 19%inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity.Vet.the same extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation by 61.5%and 42.0%.respectively.Roth extracts inhibited OH.formation by 27.1%and 25.3%,respectively.Only methanol cxtract induced DNA degradation.Orientin was determined as the major compound isolated from the butanol fraction of metlianol extract.Conclusions:It appears that C.rotundus extracts exhibit a potential use as a natural antioxidant and an apoptosis inducer.     

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.     

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.     

Antibacterial activity of crude ethanolic extract and solvent fractions of Ficus pseudopalma Blanco leaves

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial properties of Ficus pseudopalma (F. pseudopalma) leaf extracts.MethodsThe antibacterial properties of F. pseudopalma Blanco crude ethanolic leaf extract, and its solvent fractions chloroform (CF), ethylacetate (EF) and water fractions were evaluated through antibacterial agar disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. Five Gram-positive and five Gram-negative bacteria were used for the study.ResultsThe zone of inhibitions obtained from the antibacterial agar diffusion disc method showed that CF, and EF exhibited active (14-19 mm) antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis UST CMS 1011, and partially active (10-13 mm) antibacterial properties against both Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228. Water exhibited no antibacterial properties against all microorgranisms tested. The MIC values observed for all Gram-positive bacteria tested were >5 mg/mL, except for Bacillus subtilis whose MIC value was 5 mg/mL for CF and EF fractions. All extracts exhibited no antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.ConclusionsFrom this study, it can be concluded that F. pseudopalma extracts may be a potential antibacterial agent against Gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial property may be attributed to flavonoids and terpenoids present in the crude ethanolic extract, CF and EF.     

Antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Salacia chinensis Linn. against human pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate antimicrobial effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Salacia chinensis (S. chinensis) Linn. against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.MethodsThe Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (MTCC 96), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) (MTCC 435), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) (MTCC 121), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (MTCC 443), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) (MTCC 432), Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) (MTCC 1429), Salmonella paratyphi A (S. paratyphi A) (MTCC 735), Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) (MTCC 98), Shigella flexneri (S. flexneri) (MTCC 1457) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (MTCC 424), Candida albicans (C. albicans) (MTCC 183) and Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) (clinical isolate) were originally obtained from Microbial Type Culture Collection Centre, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India. Antimicrobial activity was carried out by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods against pathogens by using crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts.ResultsEthanolic extract of S. chinensis L. leaves showed significant antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis (33.20 mm), C. albicans (30.40 mm) and C. neoformans (18.20 mm) mean values were documented. Aqueous extract of leaves showed significant inhibitory activity against C. neoformans (19.8 mm) and S. epidermidis (17.80 mm) were observed. Based on broth dilution method, the ethanolic extract of crude plant material showed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against S. epidermidis, C. neoformans (256 μg/mL) and C. albicans (512 μg/mL), whereas the aqueous extract of S. chinensis L. leaves showed significant inhibitory activity against S. epidermidis (512 μg/mL) and C. neoformans (1024 μg/mL) were observed.ConclusionsThe present result revealed that ethanolic extract of S. chinensis L. possesses significant antifungal activity when compared as the antibacterial activities.     

Preliminary investigation on the antibacterial activity of mango (Mangifera indica L: Anacardiaceae) seed kernel

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed kernel.MethodsChokanan mango seed kernel and seed kernels from assorted mango varieties were collected, cleaned, dried and powered. Crude methanolic extracts of mango seed kernel were analyzed for the phytochemical constituents. The free radical scavenging activity was determined by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion assay with three medically important bacterial pathogens such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (MRSA), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus).ResultsQualitative phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of important phytochemical compounds such as glycosides, saponins, flavanoids, tannins and alkaloids. There was no significant difference in the phytochemical content between the single and assorted mango seed kernels. However, the free radical scavenging study indicated that the assorted mango kernels showed slightly higher activity than the single species (P <0.05). The crude methanolic extract of mango seed kernel at a concentration of 100 mg/mL is found to have potential antimicrobial activity against MRSA and E. coli compared to V. vulnificus. Study on the antibacterial activity also indicated that there was no significant difference in the antibacterial activity of the single and assorted mango seed kernel extracts.ConclusionsThe present study conclusively demonstrates the free radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activities of mango seed kernel. In addition, the results also indicated that there is no significant difference in the phytochemical content and biological activity of mango kernels from single and assorted mango varieties.     

Phytochemical and biological activities of Bituminaria bituminosa L. (Fabaceae)

ObjectiveTo investigate the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Bituminaria bituminosa L. (Fabaceae) (B. bituminosa).MethodsThe aerial parts of B. bituminosa yielded two compounds. The structures of these compounds were determinated using UV, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR experiments and comparison of their spectroscopic properties with literature data. The antibacterial activity of the extracts (CH₂Cl₂, ethyl acetate and n-BuOH) was determinated using disk diffusion method against standard and clinical strains. Antioxidant potential of n-BuOH extract was evaluated through two methods: DPPH and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay.ResultsThe n-BuOH extract from B. bituminosa yielded the isolation of isoflavone and flavone. The extracts CH₂Cl₂, ethyl acetate and n-BuOH demonstrated significant antibacterial activities. CH₂Cl₂ extract showed the maximum antibacterial activity with high concentration of 2 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (20.45 mm, 16.41 mm and 15.74 mm inhibition zone, respectively). The value IC₅₀ was 0.26 μg/mL for n-BuOH extract using DPPH method. Whereas the E% value was 0.10 L/mg every centimeter for cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay.ConclusionsThe phytochemical study of B. bituminosa revealed the presence of isoflavone (daidzin) and flavone (isoorientin) and identified for the first time in this specie. The antibacterial activity of the plant B. bituminosa is certainly related to its chemical content. The n-BuOH extract showed a significant antioxidant activity.     

Antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, haemolytic and antioxidant activities of crude extracts from three selected Togolese medicinal plants

ObjectiveTo investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, acute toxicity and haemolytic activities of methanolic extracts of three plants. Phytochemical analysis to determine the phenolic contents was also carried out.MethodsThe 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, NCCLS broth microdilution and Plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase (pLDH) assays were used to determine antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities, respectively. Haemolysis assay was conducted on A⁺ human red blood cells and acute toxicity on male Swiss albino mice. Phenolics were quantitatively determined using spectrophotometric methods.ResultsThe DPPH assay yielded interesting antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Parinari curatellifolia (P. curatellifolia) and Entada africana (E. africana) (IC₅₀ were 0.20±0.01 μg/mL and 0.47±0.01 μg/mL, respectively). This activity was highly correlated with phenolic contents of extracts. The antimicrobial tests displayed minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) values ranging from 0.90 to 1.80 mg/mL for Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) the most susceptible bacterial strain. MIC value was 1.20 mg/mL for susceptible fungal strains including Mucor rouxi (M. rouxi), Fusarium oxyporum (F. oxyporum) and Rhizopus nigricans (R. nigricans). pLDH assay showed moderate antiplasmodial activity of Balanites aegyptiaca (B. aegyptiaca) (IC₅₀ = 24.56±3.45 μg/mL), however this extract was highly haemolytic and toxic in mice (LD₅₀ = 625±128 mg/kg).ConclusionsOur results support in part the use of the selected plants in the treatment of microbial infections. In addition the plant showed interesting antioxidant activity that could be useful in the management of oxidative stress.     

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.     

In vitro and in vivo bactericidal activity of Vitex negundo leaf extract against diverse multidrug resistant enteric bacterial pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate in vitro and in vivo antibacterial potentials of Vitex negundo (V. negundo) leaf extracts against diverse enteric pathogens.MethodsWater and methanol extracts of V. negundo leaves were evaluated against enteric bacterial pathogens by using standard disc diffusion, viable bacterial cell count methods, determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC).ResultsMethanol extract of V. negundo leaves showed potent antibacterial activity (inhibition zone: 9.9–22.6 mm, MIC: 200–3200 μg/mL, MBC: 200–6400 μg/mL) against all the pathogenic enteric bacteria (Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio mimicus, Echerichia coli, Shigella spps., and Aeromonas spps) tested. Methanol extract of V. negundo leaves showed potent bactericidal activity both in vitro laboratory conditions (MBC, 200-400 μg/mL) and in the intestinal environment (Dose, 1-2 mg/mL) of infant mice against pathogenic Vibrio cholerae, the major causative agent of cholera. Furthermore, assays using the mice cholera model showed that V. negundo methanol extract can protect mice from Vibrio cholerae infection and significantly decrease the mortality rate (P<0.0001).ConclusionsFor the first time we showed that methanol extract of V. negundo leaves exhibited strong vibriocidal activity both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Therefore, it will be useful to identify and isolate the active compounds of this extract that could be a good alternative of antibiotics to treat cholera.     

Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extracts and fractions of Mangifera indica

ObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extracts and fractions of Mangifera indica in in vitro conditions.MethodsIn vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assays were used to evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities respectively. Methanolic extract (MEMI), successive water extract (SWMI) and ethyl acetate fraction (EMEMI), n-butanol fraction (BMEMI) and water soluble fraction (WMEMI) of methanolic extract were evaluated along with respective reference standards.ResultsIn in vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity, the MEMI, EMEMI and BMEMI have offered significant antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 13.37, 3.55 and 14.19 μg/mL respectively. Gallic acid, a reference standard showed significant antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ value of 1.88 and found to be more potent compared to all the extracts and fractions. In in vitro LOX inhibition assay, the MEMI, EMEMI and BMEMI have showed significant inhibition of LOX enzyme activity with IC₅₀ values of 96.71, 63.21 and 107.44 μg/mL respectively. While, reference drug Indomethacin also offered significant inhibition against LOX enzyme activity with IC₅₀ of 57.75. Furthermore, MEMI was found to more potent than SWMI and among the fractions EMEMI was found to possess more potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the MEMI and EMEMI possess potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro conditions.     

In vitro antiplasmodial effect of ethanolic extracts of traditional medicinal plant Ocimum species against Plasmodium falciparum

ObjectiveTo identify the possible antiplasmodial compounds from leaf, stem, root and flower extracts of Ocimum canum (O. canum), Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum) and Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum).MethodsThe O. canum, O. sanctum and O. basilicum were collected from Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu and the extraction was carried out in ethanol. The filter sterilized extracts (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125 μg/mL) of leaf, stem, root and flower extracts of O. canum, O. sanctum and O. basilicum were tested for antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). The potential extracts were also tested for their phytochemical constituents.ResultsThe leaf extract of O. sanctum showed excellent antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ 35.58 μg/mL) followed by leaf extract of O. basilicum (IC₅₀ 43.81 μg/mL). The leaf extract of O. canum, root extracts of O. sanctum and O. basilicum, the stem and flower extracts of all the three tested Ocimum species showed IC₅₀ values between 50 and 100 μg/mL. Statistical analysis reveals that, significant antiplasmodial activity (P <0.01) was observed between the concentrations and time of exposure. The chemical injury to erythrocytes was also carried out and it shows that, there were no morphological changes in erythrocytes by the ethanolic extract of O. canum, O. sanctum and O. basilicum. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity might be due to the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, triterpenoids, proteins, resins, steroids and tannins in the ethanolic extracts of tested plants.ConclusionsThe ethanolic leaf extracts of O. sanctum possess lead compounds for the development of antiplasmodial drugs.     

Bactericidal activity of selected medicinal plants against multidrug resistant bacterial strains from clinical isolates

ObjectiveTo investigate the antibacterial effect of Curcuma longa (C. longa), Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale) and Tinospora cordifolia (T. cordifolia) against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Proteus mirabilis of clinical origin.MethodsThe antimicrobial efficacy of said medicinal plants and establishment of multidrug resistant character of these bacteria were carried out using disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods.ResultsThe results of MIC and MBC showed that these clinical bacterial isolates were phenotypically multidrug resistant against standard antibiotics (>500 μg/mL). Compared to standard antibiotics, C. longa, Z. officinale and T. cordifolia were more effective in killing these microbes as evident from MIC and MBC values (5 to 125 μg/mL). Moreover, C. longa had highest antibacterial efficacy compared to Z. officinale and T. cordifolia.ConclusionsThe result thus obtained suggests that bioactive principles of these plants can be used particularly against these multidrug resistant bacteria of clinical origin.     

Isolation and identification of antibacterial components in seed extracts of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae)

ObjectiveThe column chromatographic fractions of chloroform (CH1, CH2, CH3) seed extracts of Argemone mexicana (A. mexicana) were screened for antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis.MethodsCH3 fraction was isolated and identified by column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, spectral data analysis and phytochemical screening were used for analysis.ResultsCH3 fraction was significantly active at 4 to 64 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.5625 to 3.125 mg/mL. The active fraction (CH3) revealed presence of alkaloid with retention factor value of 0.44. The active antibacterial agent in the most potent fraction (CH3) was isolated and identified as N-demethyloxysanguinarine by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and phytochemical screening. The CH1 and CH2 fractions did not show inhibitory activity.ConclusionsThe results support the ethnomedicinal use of seeds of A. mexicana for treatment of bacterial diseases.