In-vitro study:Immunomodulatory and cytotoxicity effects of ethanolic leave extracts of Aegle marmelos and Ficus benghalensis

Objective:To assess the immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties of the coastal trees Aegle marmelos(A.marmelos)and Ficus benghalensis(F.benghalensis)by in-vitro methods.Methods:A.marmelos and F.benghalensis leaves were extracted with the solvents di-ethyl ether,ethanol and methanol.The extracts were investigated for antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria and immunomodulatory activity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC),respectively.Results:F.benghalensis ethanol cold extract gave maximum inhibition zones against Escherichia coli NCIM 2931(B2)at 18 mm and enhanced the growth of human PBMC.It was non-toxic to human PBMC shown by the Tryphan blue dye exclusion method,sulforhodamine B and MTT assays.IR phyto-chemical analysis demonstrated the presence of the functional groups:NH,CH_(2),CH_(3),CO,OH,-C-C=O,and C-S.We confirmed the presence of quantifiable amounts of tannins and alkaloids with traces of phenolic compounds by thin layer chromatography analysis.Conclusions:Leaves of A.marmelos and F.benghalensis provide both antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties.

Anti-enteric bacterial activity of the traditional medicinal plants of Kanyakumari coast,Tamilnadu,India

Objective:To evaluate the antimicrobial potentials of 6 traditionally used medicinal plants to treat gastrointestinal infection against pathogenic bacteria,as most of the pathogens develop drug resistance against commonly used antibiotics.Methods:Crude extracts from different parts of different plants were tested against bacterial strains of clinical significance.Extraction of bioactive principles was done with water and ethanol.Evaluation of antibacterial activity was done by disc diffusion assay against selected bacterial stains.Results:Of the 6 different plant materials tested,extracts prepared from Psidium guajava leaves showed significantly higher efficacy.Extracts prepared using alcohol exhibited higher antibacterial activity when compared to their corresponding aqueous extracts.Conclusions:The findings of the present study suggested that phytochemical extracts of the presently studied plant materials possess significant anti-enteric bacterial activity,and thus lend pharmacological credibility to the suggested traditional use of the plant as a natural remedy for the treatment,management and/or control of gastrointestinal diseases in the coastal tracts of Kanyakumari district,Tamilnadu,India.