Antimicrobial chemical constituents from endophytic fungus Phoma sp.

Objective:To evaluate the antiniicrobial polenlial of different extracts of the endophytic fungus Phoma sp.and the tentative identification of their active constituents.Methods:The extract and compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity using the Agar Well Diffusion Method.Four compounds were purified using column chromatography and tlieir structures were assigned using～1H and～(13)C NMR spectra,DEPT,2D COSY,HMQC and HMBC experiments.Results:The ethyl acetate fraction of Phoma sp.showed good antifungal,antibacterial,and algicidal properties.One new dihydrofuran derivative,named phomafuranol(1),together with tliree known compounds,phomalacton(2),(3R)-5-hydroxymellein(3)and emodin(4)were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Phoma sp.Preliminary studies indicated that phomalacton(2)displayed strong antibacterial,good antifungal and antialgal activities.Similarly(3R)-5-hydroxymellein(3)and emodin(4)showed good antifungal,antibacterial and algicidal properties.Conclusions:Antimicrobial activities of the ethyl acetate fraction of the endophytic fungus Phoma sp.and isolated compounds clearly demonstrate that Phoma sp.and its active compounds represent a great potential for the food,cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.     

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.     

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.     

Evaluation of the lemongrass plant (Cymbopogon citratus) extracted in different solvents for antioxidant and antibacterial activity against human pathogens

ObjectiveTo test antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the lemongrass plant Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) leaves extracted serially by the solvents (chloroform, methanol and water).MethodsThe plant leaves extracts were used for antibacterial activity on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Nocardia sp., Serratia sp., and Enterobacter aeruginosa microorganisms by the Kirby Bauer agar disc diffusion method. This study was carried out on lemongrass plant leaf extracts in different concentration of all solvents. The leaf extracts from different solvents were tested for their scavenging activity against the stable free radical DPPH in quantization using a spectrophotometric assay. Oxidative damage was induced in vitro by treating blood DNA and analyzing the effects of the leaf extracts.ResultsThe results showed that C. citratus extracts exhibited maximum zones of inhibition in chloroform, methanol and water extracts. It was Observed that the C. citratus extracts exhibited maximum zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris. Analyzed data in the present work suggested that antibacterial activity of C. citratus plant leaf extracts showed good results for Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. DPPH scavenging activity was highly elicited by the extract of C. citratus. Chloroform, methanol and water extracts of C. citratus leaves effectively decreased the extent of DNA damage.ConclusionsThe present study suggested that the lemongrass plant extracts could offer various health benefits.     

In vitro antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of endophytic fungi isolated from Eugenia jambolana Lam.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC) of ethyl acetate extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Eugenia jambolana by three different antioxidant assays.MethodsTwenty one different endophytic fungal extracts were screened for presence of various phytochemicals, TPC and in vitro antioxidant activity. TPC was tested by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent based assay. DPPH free radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and reducing power assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity.ResultsAlkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenes were the main phytochemicals presents in all 21 endophytes. A significant positive correlation was found between antioxidant activity and TPC in fungal extracts. There is 36% endophytic extracts having high phenolic content exhibited potent antioxidant activity. Chaetomium sp., Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus peyronelii and Aspergillus niger strain showed the highest antioxidant activity ranging from 50% to 80% having 58 mg/g to 60 mg/g GAE total phenolics. Ascorbic acid used as a standard showed 90% reducing potential.ConclusionsThe results reveal that metabolites produced by endophytic fungi isolated from Eugenia jambolana can be a potential source of novel natural antioxidant compounds.     

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.     

In vitro antifungal potentials of bioactive compound oleic acid, 3-(octadecyloxy) propyl ester isolated from Lepidagathis cristata Willd. (Acanthaceae) inflorescence

ObjectiveTo identify bioactive compound oleic acid, 3-(octadecyloxy) propyl ester from Lepidagathis cristata Willd. (L. cristata) and to assess antifungal potentials of the isolated compound.MethodsAqueous extracts of L. cristata inflorescence were used for this study. The major bioactive compound isolated was tested for antifungal activities.ResultsThe major bioactive compound oleic acid, 3-(octadecyloxy) propyl ester was isolated from the inflorescence of L. cristata. The bioactive compound was tested for antifungal potentials and found to be highly effective to plant pathogenic fungi Colletotrichum fulcatum NCBT 146, Fusarium oxysporum NCBT 156 and Rhizoctonia solani NCBT 196 as well as for the human pathogenic fungi Curvularia lunata MTCC 2030 and Microsporum canis MTCC 2820.ConclusionsThe results justify the antifungal potentials of both plant and human pathogenic fungi. The plant bioactive compound will be helpful in herbal antifungal formulations.     

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.     

Isolation and characterization of Marine fungal metabolites against clinical pathogens

ObjectiveTo isolate and identify of marine fungal metabolites against clinical bacterial pathogens. To optimize the production medium for isolated fungus.MethodMarine fungus isolated from water and sediment samples from different places of Sundarbans mangrove, Muttukadu (Chennai) and Parangipettai in India. Antimicrobial substance from marine fungi was produced by agar plate method. The potent fungal were inoculated on production medium and extracted was done. The extracted compound was checked for anti bacterial activity. Suitable production medium were optimized.ResultTotally 30 fungal isolates were recovered and morphologically 10 different strains were belongs to the fungal genera such as Fusarium, Aspergillus, Mucor and Penicillium. Preliminary screening results showed 3 fungal isolates showed promising activity. After production of potent fungal SS2 crude extracts showed highest inhibition against the bacterial pathogens out of 3 fungal isolates. The results showed maximum zone in 20mm against E. coli and minimum 10 mm against Vibrio sp.ConclusionsThe present study identified Fusarium sp isolated from Sundarbans mangrove water as a potential source for bioactive compounds. Further isolation of active compound from potential fungal isolates will leads to the discovery of effective antimicrobials.     

Evaluation of antimicrobial study in in vitro application of Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antimicrobial potency of ethanol and chloroform extracts of root, leaf and stem of Clerodendrum infortunatum (Verbenaceae) and to explore a scientific data as this plant was randomly use in traditional medicine to cure common ailments such as intestinal disorder, diarrhea, tuberculosis and respiratory problems, etc.MethodsThe in vitro application was carried out by using disc diffusion, micro broth dilution and serial dilution techniques against clinically important life threatening organisms.ResultsAll the extracts showed significant inhibitory activity over the bacteria and fungus comparable to the standard drug tetracycline and fluconazole. The maximum average diameter zone of inhibition was recorded to bacterial strains against Bacillus megaterium, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae and to fungi against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of ethanol leaf extract were determined 64 μg/mL to Bacillus megaterium, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae; 128 μg/mL to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus-β–haemolyticus and Escherichia coli.ConclusionsThe findings evidently appear promising antibacterial and antifungal properties of Clerodendrum infortunatum against antagonistic pathogens. Leaf possesses quite potent activity than root and stem specially leaf extract>root extract>stem extract. This study serves as basis for further research to lead compounds to be isolated so that it may be as a template for the implications of these results for bioactivity and drug discovery potential of herbal products.     

Total antioxidant activity and antimicrobial potency of the essential oil and oleoresin of Zingiber officinale Roscoe

ObjectiveTo compare in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and oleoresin of Zingiber officinale Roscoe.MethodsThe antioxidant activity was evaluated based on the ability of the ginger extracts to scavenge ABTS^°+ free radical. The antimicrobial activity was studied by the disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration was determined by using the agar incorporation method.ResultsGinger extracts exerted significant antioxidant activity and dose-depend effect. In general, oleoresin showed higher antioxidant activity [IC₅₀=(1.820±0.034) mg/mL] when compared to the essential oil [IC₅₀=(110.14±8.44) mg/mL]. In terms of antimicrobial activity, ginger compounds were more effective against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and less effective against Bacillus cereus. Aspergillus niger was least, whereas, Penicillium spp. was higher sensitive to the ginger extracts; minimal inhibitory concentrations of the oleoresin and essential oil were 2 mg/mL and 869.2 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the studied extracts showed an important antifungal activity against Candida albicans.ConclusionsThe study confirms the wide application of ginger oleoresin and essential oil in the treatment of many bacterial and fungal diseases.     

The effect of leaves extracts of Clitoria ternatea Linn against the fish pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial activity of Clitoria ternatea(C. ternatea) against the fish pathogens viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa), Escherichia coli(E. coli), Klebsiella pneumonia(K. pneumonia), Bacillus subtilis(B. subtilis), Aeromonas formican(A. formicans)s, Aeromonas hydrophila(A. hydrophila) and Streptococcus agalactiae(S. agalactiae) isolated from diseased Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).MethodsThe extracts of C. ternatea was tested against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, K. pneumonia, B. subtilis, A. formicans, A. hydrophila and S. agalactiae by the agar well diffusion method.ResultsDifferent extracts of C. ternatea showed inhibitory effects against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, K. pneumonia, B. subtilis, A. formicans, A. hydrophila and S. agalactiae. Ethyl acetate extracts of C. ternatea showed maximum of zone of inhibition against A. formicans (18 mm), A. hydrophilia (19 mm), B. subtilis (19 mm) and P. aeruginosa (21 mm) next to that ethanol extract of C. ternatea showed A. formicans (18 mm) and E. coli (14 mm) followed by Acetone extract showed maximum zone of inhibition S. agalactiae (19 mm) and K. pneumonia (17 mm).ConclusionsThe antimicrobial activities of all the four plant extracts are comparable and their potential as alternative in the treatment of infectious by these microorganisms was present in the fish. Susceptibility testing is conducted on isolates using drugs selected on the basis of their importance to human medicine and use in fish production.     

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 antibacterial activity of the metal oxide nanoparticles against urinary tract infectious bacterial pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate the antibacterial properties of the five metal oxide nanoparticles viz., Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CeO₂, ZrO₂ and MgO against urinary tract infectious pathogens viz., Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli (E. coli), Proteus morganii (P. morganii) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).MethodsThe antibacterial activity of the five different nanoparticles was assessed by well diffusion method. Different concentrations of the nanoparticles were analyzed by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) techniques. Finally, the potential nanoparticle Al₂O₃ which showed maximum antibacterial sensitivity was also subjected for the time kill assay method.ResultsAmong the nanoparticles, Al₂O₃ nanoparticle showed maximum sensitivity (16.00±0.21) mm against E. coli. None of the nanoparticles showed activity against Pseudomonas sp. The MIC results also revealed that, the Al₂O₃ nanoparticle showed maximum inhibition at the concentration of 5 μg/mL against E. coli, followed by 10 μg/mL against Klebsiella sp. and P. morganii, respectively. Moreover, the time kill assay revealed that, the bacterial growth was maximum inhibited at the concentration of 5 μg/mL from the 2nd h.ConclusionsIt can be concluded from the present findings that, the Al₂O₃ nanoparticle can be used as an alternative antibacterial agent for the urinary bacterial diseases after completing successful clinical trials.     

The effect of extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia leaves on poultry pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial activity of some commonly available herbs against poultry pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas species isolated from poultry litter.MethodsThe extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia were tested against E. coli and Pseudomonas isolated from poultry litter by the agar diffusion method.ResultsResults indicated that different plant extracts showed inhibitory effects against E. coli (8-13 mm) and Pseudomonas (6.5-13 mm). The four different extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia showed similar levels of antimicrobial activity on E. coli.ConclusionsThe antimicrobial activities of all the four plant extracts are comparable and their potential as alternatives in the treatment of infections by these microorganisms were present in the poultry litter. Susceptibility testing is conduced on isolates using drugs selected on the basis of their importance to human medicine and use in poultry production.     

In vitro studies on phytochemical evaluation and antimicrobial activity of Borassus flabellifer Linn against some human pathogens

ObjectiveTo detect preliminary phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of seed coat of Borassus flabellifer (B. flabellifer) against some human pathogens.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of the organic solvent extracts of seed coat of B. flabellifer against various test microorganisms including bacteria and fungi was investigated using agar well diffusion technique.ResultsThe preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous, methanoic and ethanolic extracts of seed coat of B. flabellifer revealed the presence of certain phytochemicals like tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and terpenoids. The zone of inhibition of methanolic extracts varied from 16 to 23 mm where as with ethanol extracts from 14 to 23 mm and aqueous extracts from 10 to 15 mm at 50 mg/mL concentrations. Among all tested organisms, Aspergillus brasiliensis and Bacillus subtilis showed a higher rate of inhibition with ethanolic and methanolic extracts of B. flabellifer.ConclusionsB. flabellifer exhibited higher rate of growth inhibition against some human pathogens, so it can be used for treatment of some infectious diseases. Further studies are being carried out to separate and purify the individual compounds that are present in seed coat of B. flabellifer by using various chromatographic techniques.     

Anti-bacterial studies on Hemigraphis colorata (Blume) H.G. Hallier and Elephantopus scaber L

ObjectiveTo examine the ethanol, aqueous, chloroform, benzene, acetone and petroleum ether extracts of, Hemigraphis colorata (H. colorata) leaves and stem and Elephantopus scaber (E. scaber) leaves, root and flower for the presence of phyto-constituents and screened the anti-bacterial activity against the selected pathogens.MethodsThe fresh materials were shade dried and powdered using the tissue blender. The dried and powered materials (50 g) were extracted successively with 200 mL of aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether by using Soxhlet extractor for 8 h at a temperature not exceeding the boiling point of the solvent. Aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts were prepared from powdered materials were used for preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial studies using standard methods.ResultsThe crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts E. scaber leaves, flower and root and H. colorata leaves and stem demonstrated that out of (5×6×12 = 360) tests for the presence or absence of the above compounds, 188 tests gave positive results and the remaining 172 gave negative results. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed that phenol (12/12), carbohydrates (9/12), steroids (8/12), saponins and coumarins (7/12), tannins (6/12), proteins (5/12), carboxylic acid and flavonoids (4/12), xanthoproteins (3/12) and alkaloids (2/12) presence in the crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts of H. colorata leaves and stem. The crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts E. scaber leaves, flower and root displayed the presence of phenol (18/18), tannin (17/18), carbohydrates (16/18), steroids (14/18), carboxylic acid and coumarins (12/18), saponins (10/18), xanthoprotein (9/18), flavonoids (7/18), protein (4/18) and alkaloids (2/18). The root ethanolic extracts of E. scaber illustrated the highest zone of inhibition against three pathogens viz., Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (24 mm), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (16 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (13 mm). The chlorofrom extracts of E. scaber showed the highest zone of inhibition against Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) (12 mm), The leaves ethanolic extracts of E. scaber demonstrated the highest zone of inhibition against three pathogens viz., Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) (18 mm), Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) (17 mm), Salmonella Typhi (S. typhi) (14 mm) and Enterobacter sp. (11 mm) While the benzene extracts of H. colorata demonstrated maximum zone of inhibition against the pathogen Acinetobacter sp. (14 mm) and S. aureus (12 mm).ConclusionsIt is hoped that this study would direct to the establishment of some compounds that could be used to invent new and more potent antimicrobial drugs of natural origin.     

Evaluation of wound healing and antimicrobial potentials of Ixora coccinea root extract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the wound healing and antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Ixora coccinea (I. coccinea).MethodsTo investigate the wound healing efficacy of root extract of I. coccinea Linn, five groups of animals were divided each containing six animals. Two wound models including incision and excision wound models were used in this study. The parameters studied were tensile strength on incision wound model and in terms of wound contraction for excision wound model were compared with standard Nitrofurazone (NFZ) ointment (0.2% w/w). Six extracts (ethanol, aqueous, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of I. coccinea were screened for in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different bacterial strains viz, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilius, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were compared with the standard drugs ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol for antibacterial and griseofulvin for antifungal screening. The serial dilution and cup (or) well plate methods were used for the antimicrobial study and MIC was determined.ResultsThe ethanolic extract showed significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity when compared to standard drug NFZ with respect to normal control group. Amongst all, ethanolic extract showed highly significant antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains used in this study when compared to standard. The aqueous extract showed moderate significant inhibition against all bacterial strains when compared to standard. All the extracts were shown negligible activity against the fungal strains used in this study.ConclusionsThe ethanolic root extract of I. coccinea showed pronounced wound healing and antibacterial activity. The probable reason to heal the wound was that the external application of the extract prevented the microbes to invade through the wound thus the protection of wound occurs against the infection of the various organisms.     

Anticancer and antioxidant activities of methanol extracts and fractions of some Cameroonian medicinal plants

ObjectiveTo obtain a scientific basis of the use of plant-derived preparations by many rural people in Cameroon, for their primary health care needs in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.MethodsThe antiproliferative effect of 11 plants methanol crude extracts on four cancer cells using sulforhodamine-B assay and their antioxidant activities using 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and nitric oxide radical scavenging ability were investigated. The Ekebergia senegalensis (E. senegalensis) and Protea elliotii (P. elliotii) extracts were selected based on their antioxidant and anticancer activities, and partition in hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol was done. Each fraction was submitted to antioxidant and anticancer activities, and the effect of the dichloromethane fraction (the most antiproliferative fraction) on NCI-H460 cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry.ResultsThe most antiproliferative substances were found for the extracts from E. senegalensis, P. elliotii, Terminalia macroptera and Vitellaria paradoxa. Whereas the most antioxidant substances were found for the extracts from Cissus populnea, E. senegalensis, P. elliotii, Terminalia macroptera, Vitellaria paradoxa, and Gardenia aqualla. Dichloromethane fraction of P. elliotii was found to be highly antiproliferative to NCI-H460 cancer cells and showed S phase arrest cell cycle progression. Ethyl acetate n-butanol and methanol fractions showed quite strong antioxidant activity for both E. senegalensis and P. elliotii, as compared to that of gallic acid.ConclusionsOverall, the antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of some of the extracts lend some support to their use in the traditional medicine of Adamawa Region, Cameroon to treat cancer.     

Preliminary phytochemical analysis, antibacterial, antifungal and anticandidal activities of successive extracts of Crossandra infundibuliformis

ObjectiveTo investigate the phytochemical, antibacterial, antifungal and anticandidal activity of successive extracts of Crossandra infundibuliformis (Acanthaceae) leaves.MethodsPreliminary screening on the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, flavanoids, tannins, carbohydrates, terpenoids, oils and fats were carried out by phytochemical analysis. The antibacterial, antifungal and anticandidal activities were done by agar well diffusion technique.ResultsThe successive extracts have an array of chemical constituents and the MIC values of antibacterial activity ranges from 0.007 8 to 0.015 0 μg/mL. In case of antifungal and anticandidal activities the MIC values were between 0.125 and 0.250 μg/mL.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that the leaf extracts of C. infundibuliformis presents excellent antimicrobial activities and thus have great potential as a source for natural health care products.