Antiprotozoal assessment and phenolic acid profiling of five Fumaria(fumitory) species

Objective:To explore some Fumaria species which were recorded to be traditionally used against malaria and other protozoal diseases.Methods:Consequently,in the current study,antiprotozoal effect of the ethanol extracts obtained from five Fumaria species(Fumaria densiflora,Fumaria cilicica,Fumaria rostellata,Fumaria kralikii,and Fumaria parviflora)was investigated against the parasites;Plasmodium falciparum(malaria)and Trypanosoma bruceirhodesiense(human African trypanosomiasis)at 0.81 and 4.85μg/mL concentrations.Results:Among them,Fumaria densiflora extract exerted the highest antiplasmodial(93.80%)and antitrypanasomal effect(55.40%),while the ethanol extracts of Fumaria kralikii(43.45%)and Fumaria rostellata(41.65%)showed moderate activity against Plasmodium falciparum.Besides,phenolic acid contents of the extracts were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and trans-cinnamic(4.32 mg/g)and caffeic(3.71 mg/g)acids were found to be the dominant phenolic acids in Fumaria densiflora.Conclusions:According to our results,Fumaria densiflora deserve further study for its promising antiprotozoal activity.

Antiprotozoal Activity of a <i>Thymus vulgaris</i>Methanol Extract and Its Fractions

Introduction: Thymus vulgaris is used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases because of its antifungal, antibacterial, and antispasmodic activity. Objective: To verify whether Thymus vulgaris also has antiprotozoal activity against Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites. Materials and methods: Conventional cultures of parasites were measured on the third day during the logarithmic growth phase. The antiprotozoal activity of the methanol extract and its fractions were evaluated comparing growth in cultures with and without extracts. Next, the extract was fractionated by polarity-based partitioning. Then, the purity of each fraction was determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The percentage of growth inhibition was calculated with respect to untreated controls. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of each extract was calculated by PROBIT analysis. Results: We found that a methanol extract of the aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris, at 300 μg/mL, inhibited the in vitro growth of G. lamblia and T. vaginalis, while E. histolytica growth was poorly inhibited. The methanol extract was further separated into mixtures of ursolic, oleanolic, and betulinic acids. The IC50 values of ursolic acid against G. lamblia and T. vaginalis were 8.12 μg/mL and 5.51 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The methanol extract fraction containing ursolic acid obtained from Thymus vulgaris has antiprotozoal activity against G. lamblia and T. vaginalis trophozoites.

<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).

Antimicrobial activity,cytotoxicity,and phytochemical screening of Voacanga globosa(Blanco) Merr.leaf extract(Apocynaceae)

Objective:To determine the antibacterial,antifungal,antiprotozoal,cytotoxic,and phytochemical properties of ethanol extracts of leaves of Voacanga globosa(Blanco) Merr.(V.globosa). Methods:The extracts were tested against bacteria and fungus through disc diffusion assay; against protozoa through growth curve determination,antiprotozoal and cytotoxicity assays. Results:The extract revealed antibacterial activities,inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus cereus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Micrococcus luteus,and Salmonella typhimurium.Antifungal assay showed that it inhibited Candida albicans.The antiprotozoal assay against Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba histolytica showed that V.globosa can inhibit the parasites,wherein the action can be comparable to metronidazole.With the in situ cell death detection kit.Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba histolytica exposed to V.globosa leaf extract was observed to fluoresce simultaneously in red and yellow signals signifying apoptotic-like changes.Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the chemical composition of plant extract containing alkaloids,saponins,2-deoxysugars,and hydrolysabie tannins.Conclusions: Thus,thus study provides scientific evidence on the traditional use of V.globosa leaf extract in treating microbial diseases.Further,the leaf extract can possibly be used to produce alternative forms of antimicrobials.

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.

Study of Antiparasitic and Cytotoxicity of the Aqueous, the 80% Methanol Extract and Its Fractions, and the Acute Toxicity of the Aqueous Extract of Brucea sumatrana (Simaroubaceae) Leaves Collected in Mai-Ndombe, Democratic Republic of Congo

Results from the in vitro evaluation of the antiparasitaire activity of the aqueous extract, the 80% methanol extract and its fractions from the leaves of Brucea sumatrana against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. cruzi, Leishmania infantum, the multidrug-resistant K1 and chloroquine-sensitive NF54 strains of Plasmodium falciparum indicated that all samples from the leaves extract presented interesting antiparasitaire activity at different extents. The 80% methanol extract, its chloroform acid, petroleum ether and 80% methanol soluble fractions and the aqueous extract exhibited strong activity against Trypanosoma b. brucei, T. cruzi, L. infantum and the multidrug-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum with IC50 values from <0.25 to 4.35 μg/ml as well as against chloroquine-sensitive NF54 strain of P. falciparum with IC50 values ranging from <0.02 to 2.0.4 μg/ml. Most samples were cytotoxic against MRC-5 cell lines (0.2 50) < 34.24 μg/ml) and showed good selective effect against all tested parasites. In acute toxicity, the aqueous extract was found to be non-toxic and its LD50 was estimated to be greater than 5 g/kg. In addition, it did not significantly modify the concentration levels of some evaluated biochemical and hematological parameters in treated rats. These results constitute a scientific validation supporting and justifying the traditional use of the leaves of B. sumatrana for the treatment of malaria, sleeping sickness and at some extent Chagas disease.