Antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben plant extracts

This study reported the antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben inflorescences. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethanolic extracts were determined according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Individual phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) method. The samples showed a comparable antimicrobial activity, although the natural site extract possessed the lower MIC values. The best activity was detected against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin resistant strains (MIC and MBC values ranging from 7.81 to 62.50?μg?mL(-1) and from 500 to 2000?μg?mL(-1) respectively). In contrast, a low activity was found on Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed ten phenolic acids and four flavonoids with a major amount of m-coumaric acid, naringin and quercetin in the natural site extract.     

Comparison of antimicrobial activities of naphthoquinones from Impatiens balsamina

Lawsone (1), lawsone methyl ether (2), and methylene-3,3'-bilawsone (3) are the main naphthoquinones in the leaf extracts of Impatiens balsamina L. (Balsaminaceae). Antimicrobial activities of these three naphthoquinones against dermatophyte fungi, yeast, aerobic bacteria and facultative anaerobic and anaerobic bacteria were evaluated by determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal or fungicidal concentrations (MBCs or MFCs) using a modified agar dilution method. Compound 2 showed the highest antimicrobial activity. It showed antifungal activity against dermatophyte fungi and Candida albicans with the MICs and MFCs in the ranges of 3.9-23.4 and 7.8-23.4?μg?mL(-1), respectively, and also had some antibacterial activity against aerobic, facultative anaerobic and anaerobic bacteria with MICs in the range of 23.4-93.8, 31.2-62.5 and 125?μg?mL(-1), respectively. Compound 1 showed only moderate antimicrobial activity against dermatophytes (MICs and MFCs in the ranges of 62.5-250 and 125-250?μg?mL(-1), respectively), but had low potency against aerobic bacteria, and was not active against C. albicans and facultative anaerobic bacteria. In contrast, 3 showed significant antimicrobial activity only against Staphylococus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis (MIC and MBC of 46.9 and 93.8?μg?mL(-1), respectively).     

Antiviral effect and mode of action of methanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus L. on pseudorabies virus (strain RC/79)

The methanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus was evaluated for its antiviral activity against the pseudorabies virus strain RC/79 (PrV), and also for its cytotoxic activity on Vero cells. The extract showed CC?? values of 1100?μg?mL?1 and 1426?μg?mL?1 by NRU and MTT assays, respectively. The 50% inhibitory concentration of the extract for PrV plaque formation was determined at 35?μg?mL?1, and selectivity indices were 31.4 (NRU) and 40.7 (MTT). When cells were pre-treated with the extract prior to virus infection, the inhibition in plaque formation was 70%. PrV was highly inhibited when it was incubated with plant extract or when the extract was added during the adsorption phase (99%). However, no inhibitory effect was observed when the extract was added to the cells after the adsorption period. Thus, these results suggest that the methanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus may contain bioactive compound(s) that affect PrV mostly in the adsorption phase.     

Antioxidant and anticancer activity of fresh corm extract from Romulea tempskyana (Iridaceae)

The antioxidant and anticancer properties of a medicinal plant, Romulea tempskyana (R. tempskyana) (Iridaceae) were investigated. The fresh corm water extract of R. tempskyana significantly increased cell viability against H(2)O(2) cytotoxicity(.) The extract also showed high inhibition of the lipid peroxidation activity (78.20%), reducing power (IC(50) 64.99?μg?mL(-1)) activity and hydroxyl (IC(50) 38.66?μg?mL(-1)), superoxide (IC(50) 25.99?μg?ml(-1)) and DPPH (IC(50) 19.88?μg?mL(-1)) radical scavenging activity. On the other hand, treatment of the cells with higher extract concentration showed the anticancer activity inducing cytotoxicity. The extract significantly affected Hepatoma G2 and H1299 cell proliferation (IC(50); 103.79 and 88.15?μg?mL(-1)). The amount of MDA (2-fold and 2.5-fold) and activities of several cellular antioxidant enzymes, including Se-GSPx (30%, 15%), non-Se-GSH-Px (11%, 16%) and GST (17%, 23%) increased in Hepatoma G2 and H1299 cells treated with IC(50) concentrations of extract, respectively. These findings suggest that R. tempskyana extract exhibits antioxidant and carcinogenesis-reducing potential.     

Antimicrobial sesquiterpenoids from Laurus nobilis L

Activity-guided fractionations of leaf extracts from Laurus nobilis L. led to the isolation of a known sesquiterpene lactone, deacetyl laurenobiolide (1). Compound 1 showed antimicrobial activity against periopathic pathogens (Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), opportunistic Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) and fungi (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus). Furthermore, acetylation and cyclisation of deacetyl laurenobiolide (1) yielded laurenobiolide (2) and a new compound, (5S,6R,7S,8S,10R)-6,8-dihydroxyeudesma-4(15),11(13)-dien-12-oic acid 12,8-lactone (3), respectively. Compounds 2 and 3 also showed antimicrobial activities. All compounds 1-3 demonstrated growth inhibitory effects with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 31 to 1000?μg?mL(-1). This is the first report of compounds 1-3 showing antimicrobial activities.     

Brine shrimp cytotoxicity of Caesalpinia pulcherrima aerial parts, antimicrobial activity and characterisation of isolated active fractions

Caesalpinia pulcherrima Swartz. is an ornamental plant, shrub or a small tree belonging to the family Caesalpiniaceae. The plant has been used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, skin diseases and so on. In this study, the cytotoxicity of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of C. pulcherrima was tested using an Artemia salina (brine shrimp) bioassay. Further, the methanol extract was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography using a solvent gradient of hexane:ethyl acetate:methanol in different ratios and 56 fractions were collected. On the basis of thin layer chromatography profiles, 13 major fractions were obtained, which were tested for antimicrobial activity against 14 microorganisms using the agar disc diffusion method and also tested for their minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration values. In terms of cytotoxicity, the extract caused 26% mortality of brine shrimp larvae after 24?h at a concentration of 1000?μg?mL(-1). Fractions 3, 9 and 10 showed significant antimicrobial activities. Phytochemical analysis of these three fractions led to the identification of 11 compounds, and their structures were established by means of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy techniques. These findings suggest that these bioactive compounds may be useful as potential antimicrobials. Further investigation is needed to establish the mode of action of these bioactive compounds.     

Isolation of flavonoids from Populus nigra as delta 4-3-ketosteroid (5 alpha) reductase inhibitors

Inhibitors of delta 4-3-ketosteroid (5 alpha) reductase, which had been prepared from rat prostate and converted testosterone to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 4-androstene-3,17-dione, were isolated from 50% ethanol extract of Populus nigra. They were identified as pinobanksin (I, 3,5,7-trihydroxyflavanone), 3,7-dimethylquercetin (II, 3',4',5-trihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone) and pinocembrin (III, 5,7-dihydroxyflavanone). Compound III showed the most potent inhibitory activity among them.     

Studies on the potential antioxidant properties of Senecio stabianus Lacaita (Asteraceae) and its inhibitory activity against carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes

This study showed for the first time the antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties of the methanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts from Senecio stabianus Lacaita, a plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. The antioxidant activities were carried out using two different in vitro assays, namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) test. The ethyl acetate extract showed the highest activity with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC(50)) values of 35.5 and 32.7?μg?mL(-1) on DPPH test and ABTS test, respectively. This activity may be related to a good total phenol and flavonoid content. All extracts were also tested for their potential inhibitory activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase digestive enzymes. The n-hexane extract exhibited the highest α-amylase inhibition with an IC(50) value of 0.21?mg?mL(-1). Through bioassay-guided fractionation processes seven fractions (A-G) were obtained and tested. Based on the phytochemical analysis, the activity of n-hexane extract may be related to the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.     

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of leaves, twigs and stem bark of Scutia buxifolia Reissek

The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions from the leaves, twigs and stem bark of Scutia buxifolia were evaluated using the broth microdilution method and the brine shrimp lethality method, respectively. Phytochemical analysis was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antimicrobial results demonstrated that the strongest effect occurred with the butanol fraction from the twigs and the ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark against Saccharomyces cerevisiae (minimal inhibitory concentration; MIC?=?62.5?μg?mL(-1)), whereas the ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions from the twigs and stem bark were effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values ranging from 125 to 500?μg?mL(-1). LD(50) values varied from 50.00?±?0.22 to 82.23?±?0.34?μg?mL(-1). Quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin and rutin were identified by HPLC and may be partially responsible for the antimicrobial activities observed. This study reports for the first time the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of S. buxifolia leaves, twigs and stem bark.     

Modulation of antibiotic activity by the hydroalcoholic extract from leaves of Caryocar coriaceum WITTM

The aim of this study was to identify the presence of tannins, phenols and flavonoids on the hydroalcoholic extract of Caryocar coriaceum leaves (HECCL) and to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of this extract. The extract was tested alone (1024–1 μg/mL) or associated (MIC/8) with several antibiotics in order to identify any antibacterial activity against multiresistant bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The existence of tannins, total phenols (901.31 mg/g) and flavonoids (89.68 mg/g) was confirmed in the HECCL. The presence of rutin and quercetin were confirmed by Thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, the antioxidant activity of the extract (9 μg/mL) was determined. Moreover, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value found for HECCL was 1024 μg/mL and the association between HECCL (MIC/8) with benzylpenicillin significantly changed its minimum inhibitory concentration from 2500 to 625 μg/mL against E. coli.     

Trixis angustifolia hexanic extract displays synergistic antibacterial activity against M. tuberculosis

A phytochemical and antibacterial study of Trixis angustifolia, a species endemic to Mexico, was performed allowing the isolation of six flavones. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the hexanic extract, against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was 25 μg/mL. The hexanic extract caused a significant inhibition of intracellular mycobacterial growth at 12.5 μg/mL. The biodirected assay of hexane extract enabled the detection of an active fraction (AF) against M. tuberculosis (MIC = 12.5 μg/mL), and a major flavone 1 (pebrellin) with no antimycobacterial activity (MIC > 200 μg/mL). A subsequent combination antimicrobial assay showed a synergistic antimycobacterial effect of AF in combination with pebrellin; the results of the synergistic activity suggest that the antimycobacterial activity found in T. angustifolia is due to the combined action of diverse metabolites present in the plant.     

GC-MS analysis of metabolites from soxhlet extraction,ultrasound-assisted extraction and supercritical fluid extraction of Salacca zalacca flesh and its alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity

Abstract

Different extraction processes were employed to extract bioactive metabolites from Salacca zalacca flesh by a range of aqueous and organic solvents. The highest extraction yield was obtained by 50% ethanol extract of SE (73.18?±?4.35%), whereas SFE_1 showed the lowest yield (0.42?±?0.08%). All extracts were evaluated for in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, measured by their IC₅₀ values in comparison to that of quercetin, the positive control (IC₅₀ = 2.7?±?0.7?μg/mL). The lowest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was indicated by water extract of SE (IC₅₀ = 724.3?±?42.9?μg/mL) and the highest activity was demonstrated by 60% ethanol extract by UAE (IC₅₀ = 16.2?±?2.4?μg/mL). All extracts were analysed by GC-MS and identified metabolites like carbohydrates, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, sterols and alkane-based compounds etcetera that may possess the potential as α-glucosidase inhibitor and may attribute to the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.     

Chemical constituents,in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of ethyl acetate extract obtained from Cytisus triflorus l’Her

Abstract

The present study investigates the phenolic composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of an ethyl acetate extract from C. triflorus L’Her. The phytochemical study on the aerial parts of C. triflorus belonging to the Fabaceae family led to the isolation and structural elucidation of 5-Hydroxy-7-O-glucosylflavone (P1), 5-Hydroxy-7-O-galactosylflavone (P2), 5,7-Dihydroxy-flavone (P3), 5,7,3’-Trihydroxy,4’-methoxy-flavone (P4). These compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR combined analysis as well as by UV.

Ethyl acetate extract of C. triflorus showed a significant and dose-dependent antioxidant activity in vitro, related to the presence of phenolics (180.33?±?12.22?µg GAE/mg) and flavonoids (16.78?± 1.54?µg QE/mg). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus CECT 240 and Escherichia coli CECT 4099, by agar-diffusion method. The most active antibacterial activity was expressed by ethyl acetate extract of C. triflorus against Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus. The gathered results suggest that C. triflorus polyphenols and flavonoids are closely associated to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.     

In vitro evaluation of the schistosomicidal potential of Eremanthus erythropappus (DC) McLeisch (Asteraceae) extracts

Eremanthus erythropappus (DC) McLeisch, a plant popularly known as Candeia (Asteraceae), has high therapeutic potential. In this study, the in?vitro schistosomicidal potentials of the ethanolic, dichloromethane and hexane extract of branches were evaluated. Couples of worms obtained from the infected mice were cultured in RPMI supplemented with foetal bovine serum and antibiotics. Four pairs of adult worms were exposed to increasing concentrations of each extract and examined by light microscope. The extracts at 100 and 200?μg?mL(-1) had schistosomicidal activity, as demonstrated by the analysis of several aspects such as tegument darkening, absence of motility, incapacity of adhesion in culture plate and absence of egg in culture medium. At 50 and 75?μg?mL(-1), the dichloromethane and hexane extracts were highly effective. The results suggest that these extracts could be useful in the development of new schistosomicidal drugs.     

Antimicrobial activities of essential oil and methanol extract of Coriaria nepalensis

Plant extracts and products have been used for centuries in traditional medicine; for most of them, in addition to the scant scientific credibility, the chemical composition and spectrum of activity are yet to be explored. To put forward this effort and to identify novel antimicrobial agents, the inhibitory activities of methanolic extract and essential oil from Coriaria nepalensis against various microorganisms including pathogenic yeast, and Gram-positive and negative bacteria were evaluated. Chemical compositions of C. nepalensis methanolic extract and essential oil were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In vitro susceptibility tests against all the tested isolates were performed in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and well diffusion assay using standard protocols. All microorganisms tested were profoundly found susceptible to both the C. nepalensis extract and oil with MIC values of 1.3-2.1?mg?mL?1 (Gram-positive bacteria), 1.4-2.2?mg?mL?1 (Gram-negative bacteria) and 0.9-1.6?mg?mL?1 (yeasts). The extent of inhibition was shown more by methanolic extract than by essential oil. This study is the first to report the antimicrobial activity of extracts obtained from the C. nepalensis. It can be concluded that the observed antimicrobial characteristics of C. nepalensis indicate that it might be a promising antimicrobial agent.     

Quantification of polyphenols and flavonoid content and evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of Stenocereus stellatus extracts

The hexanic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts from branches of Stenocereus stellatus were tested in both the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) – induced ear oedema model and antimicrobial activity assay. The % of oedema inhibition, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), as well as the polyphenolic and flavonoid content were determined. Also, extracts were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In TPA model, the three extracts showed moderate oedema inhibition. In the antimicrobial activity assay, methanolic extract shows better MIC against all strains. The lowest MICs were for Candida albicans (31 μg/mL) and Rhizopus sp. (15 μg/mL). Also, 50.78 mg eq. of gallic acid/g extract of polyphenol and 115.12 mg eq. of catequine/g extract of flavonoids content were founded in ethyl acetate extract. In the chromatographic analysis, β-sitosterol, β-amyrine, betulin and some other molecules were identified. The results show that S. stellatus possess antimicrobial activities against some fungus species.     

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of bark extracts from Commiphora berryi and Commiphora caudata

This study investigates the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of eight extracts obtained from the dried barks of Commiphora berryi and Commiphora caudata (Burseraceae). The radical scavenging activity was assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide assays. The methanolic extracts of C. berryi and C. caudata showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity, with IC?? values of 26.92 and 21.16?μg?mL?1, respectively, and low radical scavenging activity against the nitric oxide assay. The antimicrobial activity of the plants was tested against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The ethyl acetate, chloroform and petroleum ether extracts of C. berryi showed good antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.26?mg?mL?1, whereas the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. caudata showed moderate antimicrobial activity with an MIC of more than 2.0?mg?mL?1 against P. aeruginosa compared to the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts, which showed an MIC of 1.1?mg?mL?1. The methanolic extracts of C. berryi and C. caudata also showed moderate cytotoxic activity against a human mammary carcinoma cell line (MCF-7), with values IC?? of 82.6 and 88.4?μg?mL?1, respectively.     

Antibacterial activity of three medicinal Thai plants against Campylobacter jejuni and other foodborne pathogens

Leaves of Adenanthera pavonina, Moringa oleifera and Annona squamosa are used in traditional Thai medicine to treat dysentery and other diseases. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of these plants against six species of foodborne pathogen. Methods and solvents employed to extract active constituents were optimised using the disc diffusion assay. Phytochemical analysis of the optimised extracts was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined by broth microdilution. A. pavonina contained flavonoids, terpines and tannins, and was the most active extract against Campylobacter jejuni, inhibiting growth at 62.5-125 μg mL(-1). The A. squamosa extract contained flavonoids, terpines, tannins and alkaloids, and had the broadest spectrum of antibacterial activity, inhibiting Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and C. jejuni between 62.5 and 500 μg mL(-1). MBCs were 2- to 4-fold higher than MICs against C. jejuni and B. cereus, suggesting the extracts are bactericidal against these species. Negligible activity was detected from M. oleifera. The data presented here show that A. pavonina and A. squamosa could potentially be used in modern applications aimed at the treatment or prevention of foodborne diseases.     

Bioassays guided fractionation of Coronopus didymus for its antifungal activity against Sclerotium rolfsii

Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is a pathogen of about 500 plant species. In a laboratory screening bioassay, methanolic extracts of 15?mg?mL?1 concentrations of different parts of Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. (Brassicaceae) namely leaf, stem, inflorescence and root reduced the biomass of S. rolfsii by 67%, 26%, 40% and 58%, respectively. Methanolic root extract was successively fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the concentrations (3.125-200?mg?mL?1) of ethyl acetate fraction completely inhibited the target fungal growth. Two compounds A and B were separated from this fraction by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). TLC fraction A was found highly effective against S. rolfsii with MIC value 15.62?μg?mL?1 as compared to MIC value 7.81?μg?mL?1 of the commercial fungicide mencozeb. This compound may be used for the synthesis of natural product based fungicide for the control of S. rolfsii.