Anti-infective, cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of Ziziphus oxyphylla and Cedrela serrata

Objective: To search for the most active antimicrobial and antioxidant sub-fractions related to traditional use of Ziziphus oxyphylla(Z. oxyphylla) and Cedrela serrata(C. serrata) in Pakistan against infectious and liver diseases.Methods: Factions of different polarity were tested in vitro for their antiprotozoal,antimalarial, antibacterial and antifungal activity against different pathogens. Cytotoxicity on MRC-5 cell lines(human lung fibroblasts) as well as, in vitro radical scavenging activity was evaluated using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical assay.Results: The highest antiprotozoal activity was observed for the CHCl3 fractions of Z. oxyphylla roots and leaves, and C. serrata bark. The CHCl3 and Et OAc fractions of Z. oxyphylla roots, the CHCl3 fraction of Z. oxyphylla leaves, the Et OAc and the residual Me OH: H2 O fraction of C. serrata bark showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The same residual Me OH: H2 O fraction of C. serrata bark was active against Candida albicans. The highest antioxidant activity was observed for the more hydrophilic Et OAc fractions of Z. oxyphylla leaves, C. serrata bark and leaves, and the residual Me OH: H2 O fraction of C. serrata bark.Conclusions: This study supports at least in part the traditional uses of these plants for antimicrobial purposes and against liver diseases.

<i>In Vitro</i>Antiprotozoal and Cytotoxic Activity of the Aqueous Extract, the 80% Methanol Extract and Its Fractions from the Seeds of <i>Brucea sumatrana</i>Roxb. (Simaroubaceae) Growing in Democratic Republic of Congo

The in vitro antiprotozoal and cytotoxic activity of the aqueous extract, the 80% methanol extract, and its different soluble fractions and subfractions from Brucea sumatrana seeds were assessed against two Trypanosoma (T. cruzi and T. brucei brucei), Leishmania infantum and chloroquine and pyrimethanine-resistant K1strain of P. falciparum and against MRC-5 cell-lines respectively. Results indicated that the 80% methanol extract showed a cytotoxic effect against MRC-5 cell lines with CC50 value of 0.54 μg/ml. It however exhibited pronounced and non selective activity against T. cruzi (IC50 = 1.52 μg/ml, SI = 0.03) and L. infantum (IC50 = 2.41 μg/ml, SI = 0.22). It however displayed pronounced and selective effect against T. brucei brucei (IC50 2.16) and chloroquine and pyrimethamine-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum (IC50 2.16). All soluble fractions and subfractions from the partition of the 80% methanol extract were found to exhibit an antiprotozoal activity with IC50 values ranging from T .cruzi, T. b. brucei, L. infantum and chloroquine and pyrimethamine-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum with IC50 values of 0.33, 81, 81 and >81 respectively. The chloroform soluble fraction rich in alkaloid was cytotoxic against MRC-5 cell lines (CC50 = 27.09 μg/ml) and showed good activity against T. b. brucei (IC50 = 8.36 and SI = 3.24) and moderate activity against T. cruzi, L. infantum and chloroquine-pyrimethane-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum (20 50 50 = 1.55 and 0.43 μg/ml respectively), they however displayed pronounced antiprotozoal activity against T. cruzi, T. b. brucei and chloroquine and pyrimethamine-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum with IC50 values ranging from P. falciparum (SI = >6.2 and >1.72 respectively). These extracts however showed good and low activity respectively against L. infantum (IC50 = 24.05 and 6.82 μg/ml respectively).