In vitro antiplasmodial activity of plants used in Benin in traditional medicine to treat malaria

Aim of the study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of crude extracts of 12 plant species traditionally used in Benin for the treatment of malaria in order to validate their use.

Materials and methods

For each species, dichloromethane, methanol and total aqueous extracts were tested. The antiplasmodial activity of extracts was evaluated using the measurement of the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity on chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The selectivity of the different extracts was evaluated using the MTT test on J774 macrophage-like murine cells and WI38 human normal fibroblasts.

Results

The best growth inhibition of both strains of Plasmodium falciparum was observed with the dichloromethane extracts of Acanthospermum hispidum DC. (Asteraceae) (IC₅₀ = 7.5 μg/ml on 3D7 and 4.8 μg/ml on W2), Keetia leucantha (K. Krause) Bridson (syn. Plectronia leucantha Krause) (Rubiaceae) leaves and twigs (IC₅₀ = 13.8 and 11.3 μg/ml on 3D7 and IC₅₀ = 26.5 and 15.8 μg/ml on W2, respectively), Carpolobia lutea G.Don. (Polygalaceae) (IC₅₀ = 19.4 μg/ml on 3D7 and 8.1 μg/ml on W2) and Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Loganiaceae) leaves (IC₅₀ = 15.6 μg/ml on 3D7 and 8.9 μg/ml on W2). All these extracts had a low cytotoxicity.

Conclusion

Our study gives some justifications for the traditional uses of some investigated plants.     

In vitro cytotoxic activity of nine plants used in Mayan traditional medicine

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Plants have been used in folk medicine by Mayan ancient people from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, to treat some diseases considered as cancer diseases such as chronic wounds or tumors.

Aim of the study

We collected a selection of nine plants in order to investigate their cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines.

Materials and methods

Methanolic extracts were tested for their cytotoxicity using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on four cancer cell lines; nasopharynx carcinoma (KB), laryngeal carcinoma (Hep-2), cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa), and cervix squamous carcinoma cells (SiHa) and one normal cell line; canine kidney (MDCK).

Results

All species exhibited some degree of cytotoxic activity. The root bark extract of Hamelia patens exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity on HeLa cells with a CC₅₀ of 13 μg/mL and selectivity index of 13.3, higher than docetaxel. Gossypium schottii and Dioon spinulosum showed similar good cytotoxic activity and selectivity index on HeLa and Hep-2 cells, respectively.

Conclusions

Hamelia patens, Dioon spinulosum and Gossypium schottii demonstrated promising cytotoxic activity and have been selected for future bio-guided fractionation and isolation of active cytotoxic compounds.     

In vivo antimalarial activity of Keetia leucantha twigs extracts and in vitro antiplasmodial effect of their constituents

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The West African tree Keetia leucantha (Rubiaceae) is used in traditional medicine in Benin to treat malaria. The twigs dichloromethane extract was previously shown to inhibit in vitro Plasmodium falciparum growth with no cytotoxicity (>100 µg/ml on human normal fibroblasts).

Materials and methods

The dichloromethane and aqueous extracts of twigs of K. leucantha were evaluated in vivo against Plasmodium berghei NK 173 by the 4-day suppressive test and in vitro against a chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) using the measurement of the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity. Bioguided fractionations were realized and compounds were structurally elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analysis.

Results

The in vivo antimalarial activity of K. leucantha dichloromethane and aqueous twigs extracts were assessed in mice at the dose of 200 mg/kg/day. Both extracts exhibited significant effect in inhibiting parasite growth by 56.8% and 53.0% (p<0.0001) on day 7-postinfection. An LC–MS analysis and bioguided fractionations on the twigs dichloromethane extract led to the isolation and structural determination of scopoletin (1), stigmasterol (2), three phenolic compounds: vanillin (3), hydroxybenzaldehyde (4) and ferulaldehyde (5), eight triterpenic esters (6–13), oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. The antiplasmodial activity of the mixture of the eight triterpenic esters showed an antiplasmodial activity of 1.66±0.54 µg/ml on the 3D7 strain, and the same range of activity was observed for isolated isomers mixtures.

Conclusions

This is the first report on the in vivo activity of K. leucantha extracts, the isolation of thirteen compounds and analysis of their antiplasmodial activity. The results obtained may partially justify the traditional use of K. leucantha to treat malaria in Benin.     

In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract from Meconopsis integrifolia (Maxim.) Franch

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Meconopsis integrifolia (Maxim.) Franch is a high mountain endemic species used as a traditional Tibetan and Mongolian herb to treat hepatitis, pneumonia, and edema. This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Meconopsis integrifolia ethanolic extract (MIE) in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and methods

The in vitro antioxidant property of MIE was investigated by employing various established systems. Rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury were used to assess the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of MIE in vivo. The level or activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TB) in the blood serum and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) in the liver and kidney of the rats were assayed using standard procedures.

Results

MIE exhibited strong antioxidant ability in vitro. In the rats with CCl₄-induced liver injury, the groups treated with MIE and silymarin showed significantly lower levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and TB. MIE demonstrated good antioxidant activities in both the liver and kidney of the rats in vivo.

Conclusions

MIE exhibits excellent hepatoprotective effects and antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo, supporting the traditional use of Meconopsis integrifolia in the treatment of hepatitis.     

In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity of extracts and fractions from the leaves,root-bark and stem-bark of Triclisia gilletii

Ethnopharmacological Relevance

To evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity, and the in vivo activity of extracts and fractions from the leaves, root-bark and stem-bark of Triclisia gilletii (De Wild) Staner (Menispermaceae), used in traditional medicine against malaria.

Materials and Methods

The aqueous and 80% MeOH extracts, and a series of fractions and subfractions from the leaves, stem and root-bark of Triclisia gilletii were tested in vitro for their antiplasmodial activity against a Congolese-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum, against the chloroquine and pyrimethamine-resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum, for cytotoxicity against MRC-5 cells, and in vivo in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei.

Results

Many samples from the three plant parts exhibited pronounced activity against the Congolese chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum with some IC₅₀ values <0.02 µg/ml, and against the K1 strain, with some IC₅₀ <0.25; the selectivity was higher against the Congolese strain. At oral doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight in infected mice, the aqueous, 80% methanol and total alkaloid extracts from the three plant parts produced more than 65% and 75% chemosuppression, respectively. The antiplasmodial activity of these three plant parts of Triclisia gilletii can at least in part be attributed to bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, and supports its use for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in traditional medicine.     

In vitro and in vivo safety evaluation of Acer tegmentosum

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Acer tegmentosum, which contains salidroside and tyrosol, has been used for the treatment of hepatic disorders in eastern Asia. However, little is known about its safety.

Aim of the study

To determine the safety of Acer tegmentosum, we evaluated its acute oral toxicity and genotoxicity profiles.

Materials and methods

Salidroside and tyrosol present in Acer tegmentosum were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Acute oral toxicity testing of Acer tegmentosum was performed in rats. Genotoxicity of Acer tegmentosum was assessed by bacterial reverse mutation, chromosomal aberration, and bone marrow micronucleus tests. All the tests were conducted in accordance with the good laboratory practices.

Results

The amounts of salidroside and tyrosol in Acer tegmentosum were found to be 85.01±1.21 mg/g and 3.12±0.04 mg/g, respectively. In the bacterial reverse mutation test, Acer tegmentosum increased the number of revertant Salmonella typhimurium TA98 colonies, regardless of metabolic activation by S9 mixture. In contrast, Acer tegmentosum application did not significantly increase the number of chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in mice. In the acute oral toxicity test, the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of Acer tegmentosum was found to be >2000 mg/kg in rats.

Conclusion

Take together, Acer tegmentosum exhibits mutagenicity, which was evident from the bacterial reverse mutation test. Further studies are needed to identify the components responsible for such an effect and the underlying mechanisms.     

射干提取物体内体外抑菌作用的研究

目的:研究射干提取物的体内外抑菌作用。方法:通过测定抑菌圈直径考察射干提取物对不同菌株的敏感性;采用2倍稀释法检测射干提取物的最小抑菌浓度(MIC);通过ip金黄色葡萄球菌观察射干提取物低、中、高(0.46,0.92.1.84g.kg-1)3个剂量ig给药7 d对小鼠的致死保护率。结果:肺炎链球菌、铜绿假单胞菌对射干提取物有较强的敏感性,金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌、无乳链球菌、化脓链球菌、痢疾志贺菌对射干提取物中度敏感;射干提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎链球菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌、无乳链球菌、化脓链球菌、痢疾志贺菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC/g.mL-1)分别为0.062 5,0.015 6,0.250 0,0.031 2,0.015 6,0.015 6,0.062 5;射干提取物低、中、高3个剂量组均显著降低金黄色葡萄球菌酵母悬液引起的小鼠死亡率,死亡率分别为45%,35%,30%,与模型对照组死亡率100%比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:射干提取物体内体外对所试菌株均有抑菌作用。     

In vitro and in vivo anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Calophyllum brasiliense Camb.

Aims of the study

Calophyllum brasiliense (Camb.) is a medicinal tree that grows particularly in the hilly and forested regions of Brazil. Preparations from its stem bark are popular remedies for the treatment of chronic ulcers. Since earlier investigations on bark extracts evidenced gastroprotective and gastric acid inhibitory properties, this study evaluated the effects of hydroethanolic extract (HEECb) and the dichloromethanic fraction (DCMF), from Calophyllum brasiliense stem bark, against Helicobacter pylori, in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and methods

The in vitro assays were performed using the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. The test substances were evaluated in vivo taking into account the delay in the gastric ulcer healing in Wistar rats, infected with Helicobacter pylori.

Results

DCMF appeared the most active and potent in vitro against Helicobacter pylori growth with an MIC of 31 μg/mL. In the in vivo assays, rats ulcerated by acetic acid, and inoculated with Helicobacter pylori showed a marked delay in ulcer healing. Treatment with HEECb (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and DCMF (100 and 200 mg/kg) reduced the ulcerated area in a dose-dependent manner. While DCMF, at 200 mg/kg, increased the prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) level, both HEECb and DCMF decreased the number of urease-positive animals, as confirmed by the reduction of Helicobacter pylori presence in histopathological analysis.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the antiulcer activity of Calophyllum brasiliense is due, in part, to its anti-Helicobacter pylori action, validating the popular use of this species.     

Anticonvulsant activity of Benkara malabarica (Linn.) root extract: In vitro and in vivo investigation

Aim of the study

To systematically investigate the anticonvulsant activity of methanol extract of Benkara malabarica roots and to provide a biochemical basis elucidating its mode of action.

Methods

The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of Benkara malabarica extract was determined. The anticonvulsant activity of the extract was assessed in strychnine-induced and isoniazide-induced convulsion models; phenytoin (20 mg/kg) and diazepam (1 mg/kg) were used as standards, respectively. Percentage protection provided by the drug was accounted as decrease in the number of convulsions within 8 h of observation. Mechanism of action was studied by performing GABA transaminase (GABA-T) assay, isolated from rat brain. Active constituent was isolated and characterized from the plant extract.

Results

The median lethal dose (LD50) of Benkara malabarica was found to be more than 500 mg/kg. It demonstrated 30% and 35% protection against strychnine-induced convulsions and 60% and 80% protection against isoniazide-induced convulsions, at doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Enzyme assay results revealed that Benkara malabarica extract possesses GABA-T inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.721 mg/ml). Scopoletin which was identified as the major constituent of the extract was found to be an inhibitor of GABA-T (IC50 = 10.57 μM).

Conclusions

The anticonvulsant activity of the plant extract is predominantly GABA mediated and may be due to the action of scopoletin alone or is a result of synergy of different compounds in the extract in which scopoletin is the major constituent.     

糙苏素的抗肿瘤活性研究

目的:探讨藏药螃蟹甲中环烯醚萜类成分糙苏素(phlomiol)的抗肿瘤作用.方法:采用MTT法检测糙苏素对体外培养的2种人肿瘤细胞增殖的抑制作用;体内试验采用小鼠实体瘤S180、肝癌H22细胞株接种小鼠,连续给药14 d,计算抑瘤率.采用MTT比色法检测糙苏素对S180荷瘤小鼠NK细胞杀伤活性的影响和对S180荷瘤小鼠T淋巴细胞增殖反应的影响.结果:糙苏素在50～150 mg·L-1对2种肿瘤细胞增殖均有抑制作用,且呈剂量依赖关系(r=0.989,P<0.05);体内试验结果显示小鼠分别灌胃给予2.5,5,10 mg·kg-13个剂量的糙苏素,对接种的实体瘤S180、肝癌H22细胞株的抑瘤率分别为28.5%～65.0%.35.0%～74.5%.同时,糙苏素可显著提高S180荷瘤小鼠淋巴细胞增殖活性(P<0.05),显著增加S180荷瘤小鼠NK细胞的杀伤能力(P<0.05).结论:糙苏素对体外培养的人肿瘤细胞和接种的小鼠肿瘤具有明显抑制作用,能够增强淋巴细胞增殖功能和NK细胞的杀伤能力,具有抗肿瘤和免疫调节功能.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts and compounds of some selected medicinal plants from Cameroon

Aim of the study

Seven extracts and eight compounds from four selected Cameroonian medicinal plants, Solanecio mannii Hook f. (Asteraceae), Monodora myristica Dunal (Annonaceae), Albizia gummifera (J.F. Gmel) C.A. Smith (Fabaceae/Mimosoideae) and Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae), traditionally used for the treatment of hepatitis, parasites and other infectious diseases, were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (5 species) and Gram-negative (4 species) bacteria species and pathogenic yeasts (2 Candida species), to establish whether or not they have antimicrobial activity and to validate scientifically their use in traditional medicine.

Materials and methods

The agar disc diffusion and the microbroth dilution methods were used to determine the zone of inhibition between the edge of the filter paper and the edge of the inhibition area (IZ) and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) respectively.

Results

The most active extracts against Candida albicans and Candida krusei were respectively the cyclohexane extract from the fruits of Monodora myristica and the ethyl acetate extract from the stem bark of Albizia gummifera (MIC = 6.3 μg/ml for both extracts). The lowest MIC value (1.6 μg/ml) for purified compounds was obtained on Candida albicans with a mixture of linear aliphatic primary alcohols (n-C24H50O to n-C30H62O), with n-hexacosanol (1b) as major compound and mixture of fatty acid esters of diunsaturated linear 1,2-diols (6).

Conclusion

These results afford ground informations for the potential use of the crude extracts of these species as well as of some of the isolated compounds in bacterial and fungal infections.     

Morinda citrifolia Linn (Noni): In vivo and in vitro reproductive toxicology

Morinda citrifolia Linn (syn. Noni) is a plant widely used as food and medicine worldwide but there are no toxicological tests about this plant focused on reproduction.     

红树林木果楝属植物可培养内生真菌的多样性及其代谢产物抗肿瘤活性

从3种红树林木果楝属植物材料的枝、叶及果皮中经反复分离纯化获得24株真菌,采用rDNA-ITS序列分析技术对菌株进行了种属鉴定,结果表明它们分属于3纲9目11科14属;并发现不同种属、不同产地的木果楝属植物内生真菌在种群组成和数量上存在差异,其中拟茎点霉属Phomopsis、炭疽病菌属Colletotrichum在3种植物材料中均分离得到。采用MTT法对菌液乙酸乙酯提取物进行体外抗肿瘤活性评价,发现15株真菌菌液乙酸乙酯提取物表现出良好的体外抗肿瘤活性,值得进一步研究和开发。     

雄黄致体内外染色体畸变

目的:用仓鼠体内染色体畸变试验和中国仓鼠肺细胞CHL细胞染色体畸变试验评价雄黄的遗传毒性.方法:体内染色体畸变试验用毛足属仓鼠连续ig5 d给予33.25,66.5,133 mg·kg-1剂量雄黄悬浊液,处死前2 h ip秋水仙素.处死后取骨髓细胞制备染色体.油镜下观察每只动物骨髓细胞的有丝分裂指数和100个中期分裂相细胞的畸变类型.CHL细胞染色体畸变试验用雄黄浸出液终质量浓度为0.15,0.3,0.6g.L-1作用于CHL细胞,培养24 h或48 h,终止培养前4h加入秋水仙素.收获细胞,制备染色体,油镜下观察CHL细胞有丝分裂指数和200个中期分裂相细胞的畸变类型.结果:①雄黄265.0 mg· kg -1组和雄黄530.0 mg·kg-1组ig给药和雄黄浸出液(1.2,2.4g·L-1)作用于CHL细胞显示有明显的抑制有丝分裂作用.②与阴性对照组比较,雄黄ig给药仓鼠体内染色体畸变率和雄黄体外给药CHL细胞染色体畸变率均显著升高,差异有极显著意义,且有明显的量效关系.但体内试验的畸变率低于体外试验.③雄黄给药后CHL细胞染色体畸变试验中可见较多的染色体断片,而仓鼠体内染色体畸变试验中未发现,这可能与体内外药物作用的方式不同.结论:①雄黄能致体内外细胞染色体畸变,具有遗传毒性.②仓鼠体内染色体畸变试验可作为中药新药遗传毒性评价试验组合的方法之一.     

In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Lentinus polychrous extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Lentinus polychrous is a Thai local edible mushroom, traditionally used for the treatments of fever and inflammation due to snake or scorpion envenomation.

Aim of study

The present study aimed to investigate an anti-inflammatory effect of Lentinus polychrous mycelial extract (LPME) both in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and methods

The cytotoxicity and suppressive effects of LPME on nitric oxide production, intracellular O₂⁻ production, pro-inflammatory mediator expression, TNF-α production were determined by using LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, Anti-inflammatory effect of LPME was evaluated by using carageenan-induced paw edema in rats.

Results

The LPME exhibited cytotoxicity with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 280.25±10.10 μg/ml and significantly suppressed the productions of NO and intracellular O₂⁻ with dose-dependent manner. LPME decreased the expressions of iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and COX-2 and significantly decreased the TNF-α production in LPS-activated macrophage with dose-dependent manners. Moreover, LPME showed significant suppressive effect on paw edema in rats.

Conclusion

The results clearly revealed that the LPME inhibited NO and pro-inflammatory productions by down-regulating the gene expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators leading to the decrease paw edema in rat which support the traditional use.     

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of selected Luo and Kuria medicinal plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Drug resistance in malaria is a recurring subject that threatens public health globally. There is an urgent need to seek new antimalarial agents. This study seeking new antimalarials from medicinal plants is guided by ethnobotany.

Materials and methods

Medicinal plants of the Luo and Kuria ethnic groups of Kenya with high usage reports were screened in vitro for their antiplasmodial activity using the SYBR Green I fluorescence assay (MSF assay).

Results

The IC50's for drugs and total plant extracts ranged from 0.01217 to 10.679 mg/ml. Extracts were more active on chloroquine sensitive than resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. Tylosema fassoglense, Ageratum conyzoides and Ocimum kilimandscharicum exhibited promising results. Plectranthus barbatus did not show activity.

Conclusion

Ethnobotanical knowledge was sufficiently reliable for identifying plant extracts with antiplasmodial activity.     

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities of seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc (Lin.) Roxb.

Aim of the study

Caesalpinia bonduc (Lin.) Roxb. is a known drug in Ayurveda to treat various diseases specifically tumors, cysts and cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to assess in vitro as well as in vivo antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia bonduc seeds.

Materials and methods

The in vitro antimicrobial activities of seed coat and seed kernel extracts were investigated by microbroth dilution assay. In vivo activities of hydro-alcoholic extracts were investigated in rat models of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia mimicking that in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Results

Various extracts of plant seeds exhibited in vitro antimicrobial activities in a range of 22–350 μg/ml. The extracts also showed activity against methicillin resistant (MR) Staphylococcus aureus and ampicillin resistant (AR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa as in the sensitive strains. In rat model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, hydro-alcoholic extracts of Caesalpinia bonduc seed kernel (CBSK) and Caesalpinia bonduc seed coat (CBSC) were injected subcutaneously in the test groups of animals. The control groups were treated with cortisone and saline. Two weeks after challenge with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the CBSK treated animals showed a significant bacterial clearance from the lungs (P < 0.04) and less severe incidence of lung abscess (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Results showed that Caesalpinia bonduc may have the potential to be promising natural medicine, with other forms of treatments, for CF patients with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections.     

黄芩苷对非白念珠菌生物膜抑制作用的研究

目的:研究黄芩苷对光滑念珠菌、近平滑念珠菌、克柔念珠菌、季也蒙念珠菌等非白念珠菌生物膜的影响.方法:96孔微量培养板上构建4种非白念珠菌生物膜;微量稀释法检测黄芩苷对4种非白念珠菌最低抑菌浓度(MIC);XTT减低法评价黄芩苷对4种非白念珠菌生物膜SMIC及菌细胞黏附性的影响.结果:4种非白念珠菌在96孔板中可形成成熟的生物膜;黄芩苷对4种非白念珠菌MIC分别是125,250,125,62.5 mg·L~(-1);黄芩苷对4种非白念珠菌生物膜的SMIC50分别是＞1 000,500,125,250 mg·L~(-1);SMIC80均大于或等于1 000 mg·L~(-1).黄芩苷对4种非白念珠菌的黏附有一定的抑制效应.结论:黄芩苷对近平滑念珠菌、克柔念珠菌、季也蒙念珠菌生物膜有较强的抑制作用.     

In vitro antigonococcal activity of Coscinium fenestratum stem extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), which originates from bacteria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is still one of the major health problems worldwide in both men and women. Many medicinal plants have been recorded in Thai folk medicine for relieving STD but there is no scientific report of these plants for antigonococcal activity.

Aim of the study

This study was conducted to evaluate antigonococcal activity of 22 Thai medicinal plants selected from the plants popularly used in Thai folk medicine for treatment of gonorrhea.

Materials and methods

This study was performed by disc diffusion and agar dilution methods against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Active compound was investigated by bioautographic assay.

Results

Among the selected plants, Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. extract showed the most effective activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae ATCC 49226 with MIC value of 47.39 μg/ml. Bioautographic assay revealed that berberine was the active compound of Coscinium fenestratum against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The average MIC values of purified berberine against Neisseria gonorrhoeae ATCC 49226 and 11 clinical isolates were 13.51 and 17.66 μg/ml, respectively while average MIC value of the crude extract of Coscinium fenestratum against all clinical isolates was about 56.39 μg/ml. There was no acute toxicity detected at the dose of 5 g of Coscinium fenestratum crude extract per kilogram.

Conclusions

These results provide theoretical support for ethnopharmacological relevance of antigonococcal activity of Coscinium fenestratum and its active compound.