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Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical screening of crude extracts of medicinal plants grown in Eastern Ethiopia
Abstract
The aim of my research was to screen secondary metabolites and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts of the leaves Vernonia amygdalina and Plantago lanceolata, and acetone extracts of the leaves Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus schimperi against two bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and two fungi (Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum) using paper disc diffusion method. Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, phenolic compounds, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides and triterpenes in the plants investigated. The plant extracts were found to be more effective on bacteria than fungi. The bioassay has indicated that the inhibition effect of the extracts was proportional to the concentration. The acetone leaf extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis possess higher antibacterial properties than Vernonia amygdalina, Plantago lanceolata and Thymus schimperi. Phytochemical investigation results showed that the highest antibacterial potential of Rosmarinus officinalis may be attributed to flavonoids, phenolic compounds and triterpenes.
... Yet, there are some reports about antimicrobial properties of P.lanceolata leaves extracts, for instance the work Asressu on antimicrobial activity of P. lanceolata leaves in 2013 in Aromaya University is one of those reports. 12 Therefore, the present research was under taken to evaluate the efficacy of the different solvent ( 90%, 100%, chloroform, petroleum ether) for the extraction of phenolic content, to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, to evaluate the total poly phenol and flavonoid content of the plant's leaves extract. The majority of the Ethiopian people, including the Meinit ethnic group, are highly dependent on medicinal plants for their day-to-day public healthcare and veterinary needs. ...
... It's leaves have been used for traditional medicine for many years in Ethiopia as many skin disorders. 12 Although it is a plant of ancient usage, there were no any written documents that show the antioxidant capacity of P.lanceolata leaves extract and characterization of active ingredient in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of P. lanceolata leaves extracts. ...
... In most part of the world including Ethiopia, the plant considered as weed of cultivated land, it has not been cultivated on piece of land. 12 This is due to low knowledge, awareness and understanding about the plant. This study provide a chance to raise the awareness of the people to cultivate the plant in small or large farms and use it's leave as antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. ...
Plantago lanceolata is a medicinal plant which has been widely used in herbal medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the plant leave extracts with different solvent. All extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Noticeable amount of TPC and TFC were also recorded. TPC of the leaves of the P.lanceolata leave extracts varied between 344.70 ± 0.021 mgGAE/100g of dry weight (90% methanol) to 185.07 ± 0.12 mgGAE/g of dry weight (petroleum ether). TFC varied from 45.23 ± 0.034 mgQE/100g of dry weight (90% methanol) to 2.156 ±0.128 mgQE/100g dry weight (petroleum ether). Ferric reducing antioxidant power was observed between 336.58 ± 0.052 mgAAE/100 g extract (90% methanol) to 172.94 ± 0.032 mgAAE/100 g (petroleum ether) while 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), radical scavenging activity (%) was varied between 90.6% (90% methanol) to 36.04% (petroleum ether) and peroxide value showed from 19.8 meq/kg (90% methanol) to 379 meq/kg (defatted with petroleum ether) at 70 o c and it also varied from 3.1 meq/kg (90% methanol) to 119 meq/kg (defatted with petroleum ether) at room temperature. Crude extracts of P.lanceolata leaves showed various degree of antimicrobial activity towards some standard and drug resistance microbial pathogens with mean zone of inhibition ranged from zero to 26mm. In all solvent extracts of leave of P. lanceolata, most bacteria species have shown MIC and MBC ranging from 6.25% to 25%. 2
... Phytochemicals present in plants material will be helpful for the augmentation of various crude drugs (Gurumurthy et al., 2008). Phytochemical analysis of Tannins of ethanolic extracts were positive in all tests plants which were previously supported byAkrayi and Abdulrehman (2013), Oancea et al. (2013), Okere et al. (2014) and Adham (2015), while the result of the present study is not in line with the findings of Asressu (2013) and Rasha-Saad et al. (2014). Tannins contained in plants can be used to treat diarrhoea (Yoshida et al., 1991). ...
... It is helpful for antibody production and the ability to stimulate immune system (Oda et al., 2000). The presence of alkaloids in all the tested plants is in line with the finding of Geetha and Geetha (2014), but contrary to the finding of Asressu (2013). Alkaloids have the best qualities in terms of muscle relaxant properties (Booij, 2000). ...
Pathogenic disorders are increasing day by day. To escape these diseases, it is compulsory to explore bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants which are effective against these pathogenic diseases. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical compounds and antimicrobial activity of the extracts of selected medicinal plants. Bioactive compounds such as Saponin, Tannins, Quinones, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Phenols, Coumarin, Terpenoids, Glycosides and Cardiac glycosides were screened from selected seven medicinal plants with variation between individual plants. The bioactive compounds were obtained from the leaves of selected medicinal plants species (Cymbopogon citrates Stapf (DC.), Thymus vulgaris L., Lavandula angustifolia Miler., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Carica papaya L., Ocimum americanum L. and Ocimum basilicum L) to screen the antimicrobial activity of selected pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Xanthomonas oryzae and Staphylococcus aureus using disc diffusion method. The Ethanolic extract of C. citratus presented the highest anti-X. oryzae activity among all the tested plants and was effective against all bacterial strains tested. Thereafter, all the remaining plants extracts of T. vulgaris, L. angustifolia, O. basilicum, O. americanum, R. officinalis and C. papaya showed also a valuable activity against X. oryzae, S. aureus and E. coli. We conclude from this that all these extracts exhibit amazing antimicrobial properties that support their traditional use as antiseptics.
... The appearance of red color was indicative of the presence of flavonoids. Same procedure was repeated using aqueous extract [31]. ...
... ECE of the leaf of R. prinioides gave maximum yield (16.30%). The lowest yield was obtained from aqueous extract of the roots of R. prinioides (1.20%). in agreement with the results of [31]. As [32] reported, most antimicrobial agents that have been identified from plants are soluble in organic solvents and this reveals the better efficiency of methanol, ethanol and hexane as extracting solvent than water. ...
In Ethiopia, many plants are used for medicinal drive-by old-style naturopaths without any scientific justification for their therapeutic values. The principal aim of this study were to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of the leaf, root and stem bark extracts of Rhamnus prinioides (gesho), Justicia schimperiana (sensel) and Ruta chalepensis (Tena adam) against some common pathogenic species of bacteria and fungi. The results of this study shown that the crude extracts of ethanol, methanol, hexane and water crude extracts had antimicrobial activities on most bacterial and fungi species of some solvent extracts. Ethanol and methanol crude extracts had the highest growth inhibitory effects as compared with those of the aqueous and hexane crude extracts. But, the four solvent crude extracts had fewer antimicrobial activities than commercially available drug(chloramphenicol and clotrimazole). Campylobacter jejuni and Staphylococcus aureus were found to be the most vulnerable microbes to the crude ethanol (99.5%). The growth-inhibitory events of the crude extracts were found to be significantly dissimilar for both concentrations (30 and 60 mg/ml) in all plant parts (p < 0.05). In general, this study did not only indicate that the antibacterial activities of R. prinioides (gesho), J. schimperiana (sensel) and R. chalepensis (Tena adam). It also accesses a scientific justification for its old-style use against some diseases.
... Phytochemicals present in plants material will be helpful for the augmentation of various crude drugs (Gurumurthy et al., 2008). Phytochemical analysis of Tannins of ethanolic extracts were positive in all tests plants which were previously supported byAkrayi and Abdulrehman (2013), Oancea et al. (2013), Okere et al. (2014) and Adham (2015), while the result of the present study is not in line with the findings of Asressu (2013) and Rasha-Saad et al. (2014). Tannins contained in plants can be used to treat diarrhoea (Yoshida et al., 1991). ...
... It is helpful for antibody production and the ability to stimulate immune system (Oda et al., 2000). The presence of alkaloids in all the tested plants is in line with the finding of Geetha and Geetha (2014), but contrary to the finding of Asressu (2013). Alkaloids have the best qualities in terms of muscle relaxant properties (Booij, 2000). ...
... The inhibition zone is measured and the plates were incubated at 37 ± 2 ºC for 24 hours for bacterial and 25 ± 2 ºC for 48 hours for fungal activity, the results obtained are shown in tables 1-4. The results of the inhibition zones obtained the present study indicate that leaves have the potential to act as a source of useful drugs because of presence of various photochemical components such as phenols, flavonoids and tannin 11,12 . The results are very much encouraging but scientific validations necessary before being put into practice. ...
... The root extraction show very low sensitivity against S.aureus table 3. When compared the three parts leaf, stem and root of V.schimperi the leaf part of the plant shows highest sensitivity against the three microbial constituent table 2 and fig 1. So the leaf of V.schimperi might have contained highest chemical constituent 11,12 compared to the plant V.amygdalina Frequent uses of antibiotics make the organisms to become resistant to such antibiotics 16 . Because of this reason new antibiotics are discovered to control the infections disease causing pathogens. ...
In the present study the dried stem material of Vernonia amygdalina and the dried leaf, root and stem material of Vernonia schimperi was successively extracted with distilled water, ethanol 96%, and chloroform. These extracts were analyzed for their antimicrobial activity against the bacterial species Staphylococcas aureus, Escherichia coli and the fungi Candida albicans. The results of antimicrobial activity investigation showed that the both plant extracts had inhibitory effect on the growth of the selected pathogenic organisms. The leaf, root, and stem extracts of V.schimperi possess higher antimicrobial properties than the stem extract of V.amygdalina. When you compared the three parts leaf, stem and root of V.schimperi the leaf part of the plant shows highest sensitivity and the root extraction show very low sensitivity against the three selected pathogens. The chloroform and ethanol leaf extracts of V.schimperi possess higher antibacterial properties 38mm and 17mm against the selected microbial species E.coli and C.albicans. So the leaf of V.schimperi might have contained highest chemical constituent compared to the plant V.amygdalina and these chemical constituent is responsible for higher antimicrobial properties.
... Since ancient times humanity has used medicinal plants to treat and prevent diseases. It was proved that herbal drug given with right doses and formulations serve a number of therapeutic purposes [1][2][3]. The current demand for herbal drugs is rising, in both developed and developing countries. ...
... The herbal medicines were proven to be less toxicity, better therapeutic effect, good patient compliance and cost effectiveness than synthetic drugs. P. lanceolata extracts have showed potential inhibitory effects against pathogenic microorganism [2,3,7]. It is assumed that aucubigenin, acteoside and aucubin were responsible for the in vitro antibacterial activities of this plant. ...
... Ethno-botanical screenings have been found to offer information on the importance of traditional medicines especially for those that do not have enough scientific evidence to prove their traditional use. This study is a continuation of earlier work justifying the utilization of Ethiopian folk medicine (Taye et al., 2011;Asressu, 2013). In the present study, attempts were made to validate the use of T. schimperi as antimicrobial agent and to substantiate the earlier findings (Hailemariam and Emire, 2013). ...
... To the best of our knowledge, there was no earlier work conducted on these bacterial strains. Though, local people have been using Tosign as cultural remedies, however, the information available is very minimal on this indigenous herb since it is availability is restricted to Ethiopia (Asressu, 2013). ...
Thymus schimperi Ronninger (Lamiaceae) locally known as Tosign, is a multipurpose endemic plant that has been used for various remedies as constituents of traditional medicine in Ethiopia. The objective of this study is to evaluate antibacterial activity of water, ethanol, methanol and chloroform extracts of T. schimperi using agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods against human pathogenic bacterial strains. Amongst the solvents used for this study, chloroform extract possess the highest potential of inhibiting the growth of all bacteria under study at concentrations of 50 mg/ml while ethanol and methanol extract fail to inhibit three gram negative bacteria, namely: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (clinical isolate) and Shigella flexneri (ATCC 12022) at the same concentration. Water extract did not show any zone of inhibition on all test bacteria as compared to other solvents. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were performed only for chloroform extracts that showed inhibition against all test organisms. This study revealed that, the highest inhibition with chloroform extract was exhibited against Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with mean zones of inhibition of 22.6+2.5 mm whilst the minimum inhibition zone was observed for E. coli with mean zone of inhibition of 14.6+2.3 mm. The MIC value ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 mg/ml while the MBC value ranged from 6.25 mm to 25 mg/ml. This study clearly indicates that the crude chloroform extract of T. schimperi showed highest antibacterial activity against all studied bacterial strains as compared to the three solvents used in this study. Thus, further study and characterization of active compounds of chloroform extract of this plant is required.
... Medicinal plants have been used in almost all cultures as a source of medicine for a long period and they are still widely practiced throughout the world [1]. It has been used as a traditional treatment for various human diseases for many years in different parts of the world. ...
Background
Medicinal plants have been used as traditional treatments for various human diseases for many years and they are still widely practiced throughout the world. Due to the long history of the practice, medicinal plants have become an integral part of the Ethiopian culture. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activities of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern and Buddleja polystachya Fresen leaf extracts and their synergistic effect against some selected human pathogenic bacteria.
Methods
Ethanol, methanol, and n-hexane crude extracts of Vernonia auriculifera, Buddleja polystachya, and a mixture of the two-plant respective of each solvent were evaluated against tested pathogenic bacteria using the agar well diffusion method; the inhibition zones were recorded in millimeters. Gentamycin was used as a positive control, while dimethyl sulfoxide served as a negative control. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the plant extracts against test bacteria was evaluated using two-fold broth dilution methods and then Minimum bactericidal concentration was determined by sub-culturing the test dilutions from minimum inhibitory concentration tubes onto fresh Muller Hinton Agar plates incubated at 37 °C for 24h.
Results
Maximum antibacterial inhibition zone was observed on methanol extracts of synergism against S. Typhimurium (ATCC 1333) (31.00 ± 1.73 mm) while, a minimum inhibition zone was observed on methanol extract of Buddleja polystachya, against E. coli (ATCC 35218) (5.67 ± 0.57). Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of the crude extracts of Vernonia auriculifera, Buddleja polystachya, and their mixture lies between (3.125%–12.5%) and (6.25%–25%) respectively. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software package version 20 for windows.
Conclusion
The present study revealed that ethanol and methanol extracts of Vernonia auriculifera and Buddleja polystachya possess significant inhibitory effects against tested pathogens and the antibacterial activity of both plants leaf extracts was greater than the activity of currently used antibiotics (Gentamycin) against some selected organisms.
... High amount of polyphenols, flaonoids and tannins were determined in 90% methanol leaf extract of P. lanceolata. Research results from different laboratories showed that secondary plant metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins exert a wide range of biological activities on physiological systems (Asressu, 2013). Therefore; these phytochemicals found from P. lanceolata could also play similar biological activities. ...
In this study, three different antioxidant activity quantification methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (DPPH), reducing power, FRAP and peroxide value determination including total phenolic, TP, total flavonoid, TF assays of crude leaf extracts of Plantago lanceolata were carried out. The extracts showed significant activities in all antioxidant assays in a concentration dependent manner. The crude extracts were found to possess higher ferric reducing activity ranging from 336.58 ± 0.052mgAAE/100g(90% methanol) to 172.94 ± 0.032 mgAAE/100g(petroleum ether) and DPPH activity varied from 90.6% (90% methanol) to 36.04% (petroleum ether). Strong correlation of TPC with AEACDPPH and AEACFRAP (R 2 = 0.9033 and R 2 = 0.8538 respectively) implied that compounds in the extract were proficient to scavenge the DPPH free radical and reducing ferric ions into ferrous ions. Moreover, peroxide values of the extracts were obtained and varied from 19.8meq/kg (90% methanol) to 379meq/kg(petroleum ether) and 3.1meq/kg (90% methanol) to 119meq/kg (petroleum ether) at 70 o c and room temperature respectively. Therefore, P. lanceolata leaf extracts as compared to the control showed effective activity in delaying oxidation of the oil. Antimicrobial capacity evaluation of crude extract against different gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were also evaluated and a higher degree of antimicrobial activity with mean zone of inhibition ranging from zero to 26mm were detected. MIC and MBC values from 6.25% up to 25% were also confirmed for the crude extracts.
... High amount of polyphenols, flaonoids and tannins were determined in 90% methanol leaf extract of P. lanceolata. Research results from different laboratories showed that secondary plant metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins exert a wide range of biological activities on physiological systems (Asressu, 2013). Therefore; these phytochemicals found from P. lanceolata could also play similar biological activities. ...
In this study, three different antioxidant activity quantification methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (DPPH), reducing power, FRAP and peroxide value determination including total phenolic, TP, total flavonoid, TF assays of crude leaf extracts of Plantago lanceolata were carried out. The extracts showed significant activities in all antioxidant assays in a concentration dependent manner. The crude extracts were found to possess higher ferric reducing activity ranging from 336.58 ± 0.052mgAAE/100g(90% methanol) to 172.94 ± 0.032 mgAAE/100g(petroleum ether) and DPPH activity varied from 90.6% (90% methanol) to 36.04% (petroleum ether). Strong correlation of TPC with AEACDPPH and AEACFRAP (R 2 = 0.9033 and R 2 = 0.8538 respectively) implied that compounds in the extract were proficient to scavenge the DPPH free radical and reducing ferric ions into ferrous ions. Moreover, peroxide values of the extracts were obtained and varied from 19.8meq/kg (90% methanol) to 379meq/kg(petroleum ether) and 3.1meq/kg (90% methanol) to 119meq/kg (petroleum ether) at 70 o c and room temperature respectively. Therefore, P. lanceolata leaf extracts as compared to the control showed effective activity in delaying oxidation of the oil. Antimicrobial capacity evaluation of crude extract against different gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were also evaluated and a higher degree of antimicrobial activity with mean zone of inhibition ranging from zero to 26mm were detected. MIC and MBC values from 6.25% up to 25% were also confirmed for the crude extracts.
... Our results indicated a high sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa than the antibacterial activity obtained from the same species by Victor et al. [35] and Sharifa et al. [36] (2008); and that of reported for Plantago mediastepposa by Marwan et al. [37]. Similar antibacterial activity was obtained in comparison with other species of the same genus such as Plantago asiatica [38], Plantago ovata [39] and Plantago lanceolata [40]. Our results showed a significant synergistic effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella typhimurium. ...
Objective: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of different leaf extracts of Plantago major, using in vitro methods.
Methods: The antimicrobial activity of different extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions) from Plantago major leaves and their synergistic effect with standard antibiotic (Gentamicin) were evaluated using the disc diffusion method. The total phenolic and total flavonoid content of these extracts was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and Aluminum chloride colorimetric assay respectively.
Antioxidant properties were determined via the DPPH free radical scavenging, β-carotene bleaching assay and ferrous ion chelating activity.
Results: The total phenols and total flavonoid content of the extracts ranged from 5.79 to 114.45 mg GAE/g dry extract and from 1.24 to 5.48 µg QAE/mg dry extract respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH scavenging capacity (IC 50 =12.85±0.27 µg/ml) and relative antioxidant activity of 70.48% in the β-carotene bleaching assay. While, aqueous and petroleum ether fractions have the lowest activities. On the
other hand, only the aqueous fraction has a capacity of chelating iron (IC 50
Conclusion: Our results showed a potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities of this species. This plant could be exploited as a potential source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for dreadful human diseases and oxidation prevention.
... 16 The dried leaves of T. schimperi are also used in TM for management of gonorrhea, relief of pain due to headache, toothache, stomachache, and earache, reduce inflammation, as antispasmolytic, blood clotting, overcome urinary retention problems, mental illness like psychosis, eye disease, liver disease, respiratory disorder (leprosy and lung tuberculosis), skin disorder (acne and ascaris). 17,18 Some of pharmacological research on crude and fractional extracts of different parts of T. schimperi includes, the antioxidant activity and preservative effect, 19 antimicrobial, 20 diuretic and antihypertensive activity of leaf extracts 21 and antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activities. 12 In particular in the Ethiopian Oromia region, North Shoa Zone, T. schimperi leaves have been used for the management of DM. 22 Therefore, based on this TD value claim the current work is initiated to assess the antidiabetic activity of crude leaf extract of T. schimperi in chemically induced diabetic mice (acute study and subacute). ...
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus disorder characterized by increase in serum glucose level as a result of change in fat, protein metabolism, and carbohydrate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Thymus. schimperi on blood glucose levels.
Methods
The aqueous and 80% methanol extracts of T. schimperi leaves were prepared. Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 20–30 g were selected for the experiments. Mice that were made diabetic were divided into seven groups to study the antihyperglycemic effect of the extracts. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitonial injection of alloxan monohydrate (180 mg/kg body weight).
Results
After diabetic mice were treated with an extract of solvent at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg for 21 days, there were significant decreases in fasting blood glucose when compared to diabetic controls. The observed antidiabetic activity could be associated with the phytochemicals present in this plant extract. The extract of solvent also prevented body weight loss of diabetic when compared to diabetic mice group. It was also observed that the extracts have shown no acute toxicity at a dose of 2 g/kg.
Conclusion
The aqueous and 80% methanol extracts of T. schimperi leaves have shown blood glucose level lowering effects in diabetic mice. Hence, the present study might support the traditional use of T. schimperi for diabetes mellitus treatment.
Keywords: diabetic, antidiabetic, alloxan, in vivo, antihyperglycemic, Thymus schimperi
... The fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were gotten from infected ground nut in plant pathology laboratory of the School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University. The bacterial cultures were sub-cultured using Muller Hinton Agar (MHA) (and incubated at 37 o C for 18-24 h) while fungal cultures were sub-cultured and maintained using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and incubated at 27 o C for 5-7 days(Kesatebrhan, 2013). ...
... The appearance of red color was indicative of the presence of flavonoids. Same procedure was repeated using aqueous extract [26]. ...
... The fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus was obtained from infected ground nut in plant pathology laboratory of the School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University. The cultured bacterial strains were also sub-cultured using Muller Hinton Agar (MHA) (and was allowed to incubate at 37 o C for 18-24 h) while fungal cultures were sub-cultured and maintained using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and incubated at 27 o C for 5-7 days [12] . ...
The aim of the present study was to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of crude extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Croton macrostachyus against four bacterial pathogenic species (i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli) and two fungal pathogenic species (i.e. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger). Antimicrobial activities of the resulting extracts were determined by measuring zone of inhibitions on cultures of six selected pathogens using the disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the two plant extracts against the same pathogens was determined using the broth dilution method. Chloroamphenicol was used as positive control for for bacterial pathogen and Tilt was also used as positive controls fungal pathogens. Meanwhile Dimethyl Sulfoxide was taken as a negative control for both. Highest percentage yield was recorded for methanol extract of V. amygdalina (14.89±0.25%) and the lowest yield was observed for the water extract of V. amygdalina (4.58±0.27). All the methanolic and ethanolic crude extracts had the highest growth inhibitory effects as compared with the water crude extracts on all bacterial pathogens. The methanol crude extract of C. macrostachyus had highest zone of inhibition (21±0.29 mm) against S. aureus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 25mg/ml. Similarly, the ethanol crude extract of C. macrostachyus had shown highest antifungal activity against A. niger with inhibition zone of 15.5±0.29. The results indicate the potential of these medicinal plants in treating some bacterial and fungal infection. Thus, further detailed studies are recommended to be carried out to characterize their bioactive compounds for development of new effective antimicrobial drugs.
... In developing countries, the majority of the population still can't afford to purchase modern pharmaceutical drugs and continued to use indigenous traditional medicinal plants [12]. Of which, tropical plants are the most valuable source of new bioactive due to their biodiversity coupled with the chemical diversity found within each species [13,14]. ...
Background
An alarm increase the rate of emerging and re-emerging of multidrug resistant bacteria have been caused great public health concern in the worldwide. They have been resisting for most or majority of currently available and affordable antibiotics and imposed socioeconomic catastrophe at global scale. As a result, there is utmost important to discover new or modify currently available antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate combined antibacterial effect of essential oils obtained from Blepharis cuspidata, Boswellia ogadensis and Thymus schimper against multidrug resistance (MDR) Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Methicillin resistant S. aureus.
Methods
Essential oil (EO) was extracted from the aerial part of B. cuspidata, B.ogadensis and T. schimper by steam distillation and stored in brown bottles at 4 °C. There were mixed in 1:1 ratio and adsorbed to disc and placed on MHA and measured their minimum inhibitory zone seeded with E. coli, K. pneumoniae and MRAS after 18-24 H. minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were measured by broth micro-dilution method. The interaction between EOs was determined by fractional inhibitory concentration index.
Results
The antibacterial potential of mixed oil depends on the doses and type of the EOs and bacteria species. The combined EOs of B.cuspidata and T.schimperi had inhibition zone (39 mm), its MIC and MBC value was 0.39 μl/ml against MRSA. It had inhibition zone (28-35 mm), MIC value 0.39–6.25 μl/ml and MBC (0.78–12.5 μl/ml) against MDR E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Whereas, combined effects of B. cuspidata and B. ogadensis had MIC values ranges from 0.78–6.25 μl/ml for E.coli and K. pneumoniae and 1.56 μl/ml for MRSA. There was strong synergistic effect between the combination of B.cuspidata and T.schimperi. This study revealed that gram negative bacteria were slightly less susceptible than gram positive.
Conclusions
This in vitro study of combined EOs has significant antibacterial effect than using each of them and even it was more potent antibacterial effect on MDR as compare to modern antibiotics. Hence, it can be applied to a pharmaceutical composition as modulator or adjuvant or precursor for synthesis of new antibiotic in future activities.
... There was phytochemical screening of methanol crude extract report on the leaves of the Plantago lanceolata [8]. In this study, the preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out on the plant extract (petroleum ether crude extract, CHCl 3 /MeOH (1:1) crude extract and MeOH crude extract), following the standard procedures were described [9,10]. ...
Leaves of Plantago lanceolata were traditionally used to treat wounds, burns, inflammations, fevers, diabetes and cancer. The present study was carried out on the phytochemical investigation and antimicrobial activities of the leaves extract of Plantago lanceolata since the plant was used for wound healing in Ethiopia. The powdered leaves of Plantago lanceolata herb was sequentially extracted with organic solvents: petroleum ether, chloroform/methanol (1:1) and methanol respectively. The crude extracts was subjected to phytochemical screening and revealed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, phenols, tannins and terpenoids compounds that might be responsible for the claimed activities by local people. The petroleum ether extract was purified over silica gel preparative thin layer chromatography and yielded an isolated compound PL-5. The structure of this compound was elucidated using different spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and DEPT-135 spectral data and by comparing the data with literature reports. The crude extracts, isolated pure compound and n-hexane extracted oil were tested against four bacterial species (Gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli and Salmonela thyphei; Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae) and two fungal species (Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani) using paper disc diffusion method. All crude extracts, isolated pure compounds and extracted oil were active against all the tested bacterial. Additionally, petroleum ether and chloroform/methanol (1:1) crude extracts and n-hexane extracted oil were active against the two fungal species and hence the present work supported the medicinal use of Plantago lanceolata.
... (Am) Root Not Specified Blood pressure, Hepatitis donkey's wart, cancer, rabies, syphilis, weight loss, diarrhea and fever [86,134] 53 Impomea sp. [Convolvulaceae] Fiatsut (Am) Leaf Not Specified Babies' sickness, hypertension, cancer [86] 54 Vernonia amygdalina [Asteraceae] Grawa (Am) Leaf Not Specified stimulates the digestive system and helps in reduction of fever, to treat [135] Citation: Meresa A, Fekadu N, Degu S, Tadele A, Geleta B (2017) An Ethno Botanical Review on Medicinal Plants Used for the Management of Hypertension. Clin Exp Pharmacol 7: 228. ...
Hypertension has become one of the most principal growing health problems in developing countries, and is an important cause of cardiovascular death in the world. It is also called the silent killer as it usually shows no direct symptoms and many people die of the disease without understanding its presence inside their body. Despite their availability and effectiveness, the conventional drugs used for the treatment of hypertension have caused adverse side effects and increased the risks of developing new diseases. Herbal medicines, therefore, are gaining great demand and more importance in the treatment of hypertension because of their wide biological and medicinal activities, higher safety margins and lesser cost. Accordingly this review article mainly focuses on medicinal plants used for the management of hypertension in Ethiopia and provides a list of sixty six anti-hypertensive plants obtained from various sources. Furthermore, the review briefly describes the photochemistry and pharmacological properties of Moringa stenopetala, Thymus serrulatus, Thymus schimperi, Syzygium guineense and Calpurnea aurea. The purpose of this review is to create baseline data for future pharmacological and phytochemical investigations involving traditional medicinal plants used for treating hypertension and to preserve the traditional knowledge.
... Our results indicated a high sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa than the antibacterial activity obtained from the same species by Victor et al. [35] and Sharifa et al. [36] (2008); and that of reported for Plantago mediastepposa by Marwan et al. [37]. Similar antibacterial activity was obtained in comparison with other species of the same genus such as Plantago asiatica [38], Plantago ovata [39] and Plantago lanceolata [40]. Our results showed a significant synergistic effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella typhimurium. ...
Objective: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of different leaf extracts of Plantago major, using in vitro methods. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of different extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions) from Plantago major leaves and their synergistic effect with standard antibiotic (Gentamicin) were evaluated using the disc diffusion method. The total phenolic and total flavonoid content of these extracts was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and Aluminum chloride colorimetric assay respectively. Antioxidant properties were determined via the DPPH free radical scavenging, β-carotene bleaching assay and ferrous ion chelating activity. Results: The total phenols and total flavonoid content of the extracts ranged from 5.79 to 114.45 mg GAE/g dry extract and from 1.24 to 5.48 μg QAE/mg dry extract respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH scavenging capacity (IC50 = 12.85±0.27 μg/ml) and relative antioxidant activity of 70.48% in the β-carotene bleaching assay. While, aqueous and petroleum ether fractions have the lowest activities. On the other hand, only the aqueous fraction has a capacity of chelating iron (IC50= 1.02±0.02 mg/ml). The findings indicated also that an ethyl acetate fraction was the most active in vitro against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria strains. High inhibition zone of 16.7±1 mm and 14.3±0.6 was exhibited on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Moderate one of 13.3±0.6 and 11.3±0.6 mm was obtained against Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Acinetobacter bowie. However, lowest antibacterial activity was obtained against Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella typhimurium. Furthermore, synergistic antibacterial activity was either obtained by the combination of standard antibiotic (Gentamicin) with the tested extracts. Conclusion: Our results showed a potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities of this species. This plant could be exploited as a potential source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for dreadful human diseases and oxidation prevention. © 2015, International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Hypertension has become one of the most principal growing health problems in developing countries, and is an important cause of cardiovascular death in the world. It is also called the silent killer as it usually shows no direct symptoms and many people die of the disease without understanding its. Despite their availability and effectiveness, the conventional drugs used for the treatment of hypertension have caused adverse side effects and increased the risks of developing new diseases. Herbal medicines, therefore, are gaining great demand and more importance in the treatment of hypertension because of their wide biological and medicinal activities, higher safety margins and lesser cost. Accordingly this review article mainly focuses on medicinal plants used for the management of hypertension in Ethiopia and provides a list of sixty six anti-hypertensive plants obtained from various sources. Furthermore, the review briefly describes the photochemistry and pharmacological properties of Moringa stenopetala, Thymus serrulatus, Thymus schimperi, Syzygium guineense and Calpurnea aurea. The purpose of this review is to create baseline data for future pharmacological and phytochemical investigations involving traditional medicinal plants used for treating hypertension and to preserve the traditional knowledge.
The essential oil from flowering Thyme (Thymis vulgaris L.) an aromatic member of the Lamiaceae family, from Morocco, obtained by hydrodistillation, was analysed by GC/FID and GC/MS. The constituents were identified by their mass spectra and Kovats' indices. Forty three compounds consisting 97.85% of the total components were identified from the oil obtained with 1% yield. Among those, camphor (38.54%), camphene (17.19%), α-pinene (9.35%), 1, 8-cineole (5.44%), borneol (4.91%) and β-pinene (3.90%) were the major oil components. Essential oil of Thyme was evaluated for its antibacterial activities against six Gram-positive and Gram negative pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Streptococcus sp., Pantoa sp. and Escherichia coli.
In the present work, chemical composition of essential oils of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) from various geographic origins (Kerman and Lalehzar) were determined by GC/MS. Rosemary leaves oil was isolated by hydrodistillation. The 49 components were identified in Lalehzar oil and 31 components were identified in Kerman oil. The hydrodistillation of Lalehzar oil was found to be rich in "-pinene (43.9%), 1, 8-cineole (11.1%), camphene (8.6%), $-myrcene (3.9%), broneol (3.4%), camphor (2.4%) and Verbenol (2.3%). 31 components were identified in hydrodistillation of Kerman oil and main component as follow; "-pinene (46.1%), 1, 8-cineole (11.1%), camphene (9.6%), camphor (5.3%), sabinene (4.6%), $-myrcene (3.9), broneol (3.4%), bornyl acetates (2.8%), verbenone (2.3%) and linalool (2.1%).
The essential oil from the aerial parts of Ricinus communis, an aromatic member of the Euphorbiaceae family, from Tunisia, obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seven constituents were found representing 100% of the oil. The main constituents of the essential oil were -thujone (31.71%), 1,8-cineole (30.98%), followed by -pinene (16.88%), camphor (12.98%) and camphene (7.48%). Antioxidant activity of the investigated essential oil was evaluated by different test systems: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, -carotene bleaching test and reducing power assay. The essential oil exhibited a potential antioxidant activity. From the DPPH assay and the -carotene bleaching test, the R. communis exhibited a half antioxidant capacity at 300 g/ml than the positive control, however, the reducing power assay indicate a higher reducing ability of the essential oil. This is the first and original study on chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of R. communis.
Ethanolic extracts and essential oils from Green Propolis from southeastern Brazil and leaf buds from its botanical origin Baccharisdracunculifolia were analyzed by Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC), Reversed Phase High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (RP-HPTLC) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation. Both ethanolic extracts and essential oils showed similar chromatographic profiles. Thirteen flavonoids were identified by RP-HPLC and RP-HPTLC analyses in both samples. Twenty-three volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS analyses. Seventeen were present in both essential oils. The major flavonoid compound in both extracts was artepillin C. The major volatile compound in both essential oils was nerolidol. The major compounds identified in this work could be used as chemical markers in order to classify and identify botanical origins of propolis.
Rosemary leaf extracts were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and Soxhlet extraction. Their chemical compositions were evaluated by GC-MS. The extracts were analyzed for compounds reported in the literature as showing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The rosemary extracts were tested with regard to antioxidant (DPPH radical scavenging and total phenolic content - Folin-Denis reagent), antibacterial (Gram-positive bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 - and Gram-negative bacteria - Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and antifungal (Candida albicans) activities. Antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities of the SFE extracts were confirmed.
Nineteen samples of Rosmarinus officinalis were e xtracted by steam distillation in a p ilot plant and evaluated in terms of chemical compositions and physico-chemical characteristics. The v olatile oil yields ranged from 0.37% (1999 harvest) to 0.49% (1998 harvest). Twenty components were identified in the oils. The major components were alpha-pinene (40.55 to 45.10%), 1,8-cineole (17.40 to 19.35%), camphene (4.73 to 6.06%) and verbenone (2.32 to 3.86%). The physico-chemical parameters averaged 0.8887 g/cm 3 for specific gravity, 1.4689 for refractive index, and +11.82° for optical rotation, and there were no significant variations in either the c hemical or physico- chemical data in the different years.
The leaves of the three plants Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia Pontica have been collected in the region of Guigou and Errachidia (Morocco) and then dried in the open air for fifteen days and kept fresh for extraction. The essential oils have been extracted by hydrodistillation method and analysed by the chromatographic techniques in the gas phase (GC-FID) and chromatography in gas phase coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) so as to determine their chemical composition and identify their chemotype. The insecticide activity is tested by methods of classic biological tests; their insecticide power has been studied in vitro on insects: Acanthoscelides obtectus, responsible for green beans rot. The essential oils yields (ml/100mg of dried substances) were 0.59% for Artemisia herba-alba; 0.57% for Artemisia absinthium and 0.31% Artemisia Pontica. The principal constituent of the three plants essential oils was the α- thujone (42.25%) for Artemisia herba-alba, (39.69%) for Artemisia absinthium and (22.13%) for Artemisia Pontica. All the tested insects have proved sensitive to the essential oils of studied species. Conversely Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia absinthium have shown a very efficient insecticidal activity, confirmed by the poor amount of DL 50 obtained respectively 5.9 and 8.4 mg/g; these oils can be exploited for industrial purposes.
The volatile compounds obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Rosmarinus officinalis cultivated at the Algerian Sahara were analyzed by GC/MS. Thirty compounds were characterized representing 98.2% of the essential oil with 1,8-cineole (29.5%), 2-ethyl-4,5-dimethylphenol (12.0%) and camphor (11.5%) as the major components.
Rosemary oils from cultivars of Rosmarinus officinalis L. growing in different areas of Uruguay and South of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul State) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oils from Uruguay were found to be rich in αpinene (37.8–46.2%) and 1,8-cineole (13.4–13.8%). The oil from R. officinalis which was cultivated in Brazil contained αpinene (32.2%) and 1,8-cineole (14.7%), while the oil from wild plants found in Brazil contained αpinene (12.4%), myrcene (22.7%) and 1,8-cineole (15.3%).
The essential oils of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) from three locations in Lebanon were extracted by steam distillation and their chemical composition was determined by GC/MS. The plants were collected during two years at either flowering stage or after. The oils obtained did not show appreciable differences in their composition in relation to geographical region. The three oil samples were found to be rich in α-pinene (18.8–38.5%) and 1,8-cineole (19.1–25.1%). The Lebanese oils had particularly high levels of α-terpineol (2.9–11.2%) and geraniol (1.8–9.3%). Although the results obtained did not indicate a large variation of oil composition in relation to harvest time (flowering and after flowering), some reproducible differences were noticeable. A parallel study on rosemary leaves and flowers from one of the three locations showed that their oils had the same chemical composition.
Preservatives used in the food industry are undergoing increasing scrutiny and reappraisal. There is therefore a renewed interest in the antimicrobial properties of herbs and spices. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is a pleasant-smelling perennial herb. The antimicrobial activities of the R. officinalis oil against Leuconostoc mesenteroides (PTCC1591), Lactobacillus delbruekii (PTCC1333), Saccharomyces cerevisia (PTCC5269) and Candida krusei (PTCC 5295) were determined. The results indicate that among the tested microbes, the essential oil had a stronger inhibitory effect on the bacteria as compared to yeasts. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for bacteria L. mesenteroides, L. delbruekii, S. cerevisia and C. krusei ranged between 0.5 and 1.5 mg/ml. The oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major components of R. officinalis oil were 1,8-cineole (23.14%), camphor (12.35%), α-pinene (9.87%), β-pinene (6.10%), borneol (5.61%), camphene (5.58%) and α-terpineol (4.30%), respectively. These results indicate the latent potency of essential oil of R. officinalis as a natural preservative in food products against L. mesenteroides, L. delbruekii, S. cerevisia and C.krusei.
In this study, Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil and three of its main components 1,8-cineole (27.23%), α-pinene (19.43%) and β-pinene (6.71%) were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activities and toxicology properties. R. officinalis L. essential oil possessed similar antibacterial activities to α-pinene, and a little bit better than β-pinene, while 1,8-cineole possessed the lowest antibacterial activities. R. officinalis L. essential oil exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity towards three human cancer cells. Its inhibition concentration 50% (IC₅₀) values on SK-OV-3, HO-8910 and Bel-7402 were 0.025‰, 0.076‰ and 0.13‰ (v/v), respectively. The cytotoxicity of all the test samples on SK-OV-3 was significantly stronger than on HO-8910 and Bel-7402. In general, R. officinalis L. essential oil showed greater activity than its components in both antibacterial and anticancer test systems, and the activities were mostly related to their concentrations.
This study evaluated and compared in vitro antioxidant activity, phytochemical constituent and proximate analysis of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Talinum triangulare to determine their acceptability in folkloric medicine. The total phenolic content of aqueous and methanolic extracts of V. amygdalina (0.822±0.050 and 0.681±0.050 mg gallic acid equivalent GAE/g respectively) was higher than aqueous and methanolic extract of T. triangulare (0.456±0.040 and 0.288±0.020 mg GAE/g respectively). Furthermore, DPPH scavenging activity of V. amygdalina was significantly higher (p<0.05) than T. triangulare at all levels of concentration (100, 200 and 300 μg/ml). Lipid peroxidation was inhibited by all samples, although there was no significant difference (p>0.05). Aqueous extracts of leaf tested positive to tannin, phlobatannins, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids. The proximate composition of V. amygdalina leaf showed higher percentage crude fibre, fat, protein and total carbohydrate content than T. triangulare except moisture and ash contents. Methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of V. amygdalina possess higher antioxidant properties, phyto-nutrients and longer shelf life than T. triangulare and hence it’s pervading use and acceptability in folkloric and trado-medicine.
Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Family Lamiaceae), popularly named rosemary, is a common household plant grown in many parts of the world, including Brazil. Rosemary leaves are used for food flavoring and have been used in folk medicine for many conditions; they have antispasmodic, analgesic, antirheumatic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, and antiepileptic effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosemary essential oil (REO) on experimental models of nociception and inflammation in animals. The anti-inflammatory effect of REO was evaluated by inflammatory exudate volume and leukocyte migration in carrageenan-induced pleurisy and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests in rats. Antinociception was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice. REO (500 mg/kg) significantly reduced the volume of pleural exudate and slightly decreased the number of cells that had migrated compared with the control animals. At doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg, REO significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced edema 1-4 hours after injection of the phlogistic agent. In the hot plate test, REO administration (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) showed unremarkable effects on response latency, whereas control injection of meperidine induced significant antinociceptive effects. REO at doses of 70, 125, and 250 mg/kg had a significant antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test compared with control animals. These data suggest that REO possesses anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activity.
The chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils obtained from Rosmarinus officinalis (family Lamiaceae) were determined. Their chemical composition was determined by hydro-distillation, analysed by GC/MS and GC-FID. To evaluate the antibacterial activities of these aromatic extracts; their in vitro antibacterial activity was determined by disk diffusion testing and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Kellebsiella pneuomonae, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus intermedius, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutans, Micrococcus luteus, and Proteus mirabilis were used as test bacterial strains. The analyses for leaves resulted in the identification of forty seven compounds, representing 65.61% of the total oil and the yields were 0.54%. The major component was α-pinene (18.25%); other predominant components were camphor (6.02%), 1.8-cineole (5.25%), camphene (5.02%), β-pinene (4.58%), bornylacetate (4.35%), limonene (3.56%), borneol (3.10%), α-terpineol (2.89%) and cymene (2.02%). The bacterial strains tested were inhibited at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 4 at 48.2μg/mL. The presence of monoterpenes as the major constituents of the essential oil extracted from leaves could be responsible for the potential antibacterial activity observed in this study.
Rare and Endemic medicinal plant Curcuma neilgherrensis (Zingiberaceae) is reported from Araku valley and from Tirumala hills of Seshachalam Hill Ranges of Easternghats, Andhra Pradesh. It is distributed all along the landscapes of mountain regions commonly called 'Adavi pasupu 'or 'Konda Pasupu'. It is stated as endemic in Red listed medicinal plants of Talakona MPCA of Eastern Ghats. Herb is used as traditional medicine by the tribals and also ornamental. This species is used against cold, cough, boils, cuts, wounds, bone fractures, skin diseases and also as antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiasthamatic, antitumor, stomach ache and carminative. In the present investigation Preliminary phytochemical screening of leaf, scape, flower and rhizomes revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, steroids, anthocyanidins, saponins, tannins, lignins, indoles, glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids may supports the herbal medicinal usages.
Evaluation of phytochemicals and antioxidants levels were conducted in the dry leaves of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina, Carica papaya, Persea americana and Cnidosculous aconitifolius. Methanolic extract was found to contain the highest value for sterols, tannin, saponin, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, phlobatannins, anthraquinones, triterpenes and cardiac glycosides. However, oxalate and phytate were absent in both aqueous and methanolic extracts. The results also showed that leave extracts of these plants are good sources of antioxidants as revealed by the presence of these antioxidants in these plant but with highest values in the methanolic extract. Conclusively, the presence of some of these phytochemicals and antioxidants explained the hypotensive action of these plants in cardiovascular diseases.
There is a growing interest of industry to replace synthetic chemicals by natural products with bioactive properties from plant origin. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors affecting antimicrobial effectiveness of essential oils Rosmarinus officinalis, Zataria multiflora, Anethum graveolens and Eucalyptus globulus against food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, Streptococcus iniae ; the cause of zoonotic streptococcosis in fish. Food conservation is based on an intermittent search for foods with a high nutritional quality and microbial stability and it has been reached by the control of the growth/survival of spoiling and pathogen foodborne microorganisms. Based on several reports, fish streptococcosis is currently considered as one of the main limiting factors in the aquaculture industry, due to the significant economic losses (annually more than $150 million) that these infections cause in different cultured fresh and seawater fish species worldwide. The sensitivity of S. iniae to antibacterial activity of the essential oils was determined using well diffusion assays and paper disc diffusion method. The ranges of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the oils and extracts were 3.9-250 and 7.8- 500 μg/ml and the ranges of minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values for the oils and extracts were found to be in the range of 7.8-250 and 15.6-500 μg/ml, respectively. The essential oils exhibited antibacterial activity against S. iniae. The essential oil of rosemary showed the strongest antimicrobial activity.
The aim of the present study was to screen phytochemicals, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extract from Tecoma stans flowers. The ethanolic extract of T. stans flowers demonstrated antioxidant activity in DPPH radical and β-carotenebleaching models. The extract exhibited a dose dependent reductive ability. The ethanolic extract of flowers of this species showed strong antimicrobial activity also and was effective against tested bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Penicillium sp.). The extract was not effective against Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium sp. and Botrytis sp. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, steroids, cardiac glycosides and saponins in the flower extract. The present findings provide scientific evidence to support the traditional use of Tecoma stans and also indicate that the flowers of this species are a promising potential for the development of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.
The effects of the harvesting date, growing media and fertilizers on the yield and chemical composition of the essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis L. maintained in pots were evaluated. The highest oil yield was always obtained in June, being superior or equal to 1 %. Myrcene was the major component present in the essential oils with concentrations always exceeding 20 %, independent on the factors studied. 1,8-Cineole (8.0-12.2 %), α-pinene (8.8-16.5 %) and, in some instances, camphor (4.4-14.1 %) could be also detected in considerable amounts, however never exceeding the myrcene percentages. The amounts of camphor (4.4-8.5 %) were always inferior to the 1,8-cineole levels (8.8-11.8 %) in the local sandy soil regardless the fertilization used. Generally, the lowest levels of myrcene and verbenone were observed during January and April while the highest amounts of 1,8-cineole was observed in April or June. The yield and the chemical composition of the rosemary oils seemed to be more sensitive to the temperature, photoperiod and collection period than to the growing media material or to the fertilization used.
The essential oil from fresh leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis L. from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed through a combination of GC and GC/MS. Compounds representing 98.3% of the oil were identified. Forty-five constituents were identified according to their chromatographic retention indices and mass spectra. The major constituents of the oil were camphor (26.0%), 1,8-cineole (22.1%), myrcene (12.4%) and α-pinene (11.5%).
The aim of this study was to optimize the antimicrobial efficacy of plant essential oils (EOs) for control of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) serovar 4b CECT 935 using laboratory media and minced beef stored at 5 ± 1 °C. Commercial EOs obtained from leave parts of Mediterranean Pistacia lentiscus (P. lentiscus) and Satureja montana (S. montana) were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The main components of EOs obtained were β-myrcene (15.18%) and carvacrol (29.19%), respectively for P. lentiscus and S. montana. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of both EOs was evaluated against L. monocytogenes using the agar diffusion technique, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were also determined against the same microorganism using the broth microdilution method. According to the diameters of inhibition, S. montana EO had more antibacterial effects than that from P. lentiscus. MICs showed a range of 0.03 and 0.10% (vol/vol) respectively for S. montana and P. lentiscus. S. montana and P. lentiscus EOs were added respectively in minced beef (twofold MIC values) at 0.06 and 0.20%, experimentally inoculated with L. monocytogenes at a level of 3 × 105 CFU/g and stored at 5 ± 1 °C during one week. S. montana EO was the more effective (P
The volatile oils from Thymus schimperi Ronninger and T. serrulatus Hochst. ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) grown in Ethiopia, have been examined by means of GC and GC–MS. The main constituents of the essential oils of T. schimperi from four regions — Bale, Gonder, Shewa, and Wello — were identified as p-cymene (9–23%), γ-terpinene (8–17%), thymol (6–38%) and carvacrol (5–63%). The oil from T. serrulatus was found to contain p-cymene (13%), γ-terpinene (13%) and thymol (49%) as major components. Both species belong to the thymol–carvacrol chemotypes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rosemary oil was produced from plants grown in two different zones of Argentina (Sumalao and Castelar). The highest yield of fresh plant material and oil was found in Sumalao. The physico-chemical properties, chemical composition and odor quality of the Argentinian oils were very similar to commercial oil, in particular Portuguese oils. Twenty compounds were identified in the oils, of which the major ones were α-pinene (7.9–10.9%), myrcene (17.9–20.4%), 1,8-cineole (14.5–15.3%) camphor (9.0–9.3%) and β-caryophyllene (14.5–15.3%). Some differences were observed in chemical composition of two oils produced by different methods of distillation.
Rosemary and sage samples, both of dried herbs and essential oil, were obtained from various dealers and suppliers of the British market. Both species were also cultivated in Scotland for comparison of the oil characteristics. Dried samples were hydrodistilled, and all samples were analysed using GC. Herbal material was also examined under the light microscope for purity and cleanliness. There were considerable variations between the samples and the resulting problems are discussed. Scottish-grown material was of very good quality compared with the imported samples. The antioxidative properties of the various rosemary and sage samples were determined and found to be variable based on geographical location and type of processing. There is a real need for natural antioxidants at a time when the synthetic moieties currently in use are receiving considerable attention with respect to their safety and acceptability.
A comparative study of the essential oils prepared from the fresh leaves of plants collected from St Catherine, Sinai (sample I), and from Giza (sample II) was carried out. The yields were 0.14 and 0.40% respectively.
Analysis of the oils by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) led to the identification of 43 components in sample I. These components represented 82% of the total composition of the oil. Verbenone (12.3%), camphor (11.3%), bornyl acetate (7.6%) and limonene (7.1%) were the major constituents. Thirty-seven components, which represented about 86% of the total composition of the oil, were identified in sample II. Camphor (14.9%), α-pinene (9.3%), and 1,8-cineole (9.0%) were the main constituents.
Sample II showed a good antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Mycobacterium intracellularae.
Preliminary screening against the earthworms Allolobophora caliginosa showed that both oils have a marked vermicidal activity.
Rosemary leaf oil was isolated by a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) procedure coupled to a fractional separation following the extraction stage. The oil produced was compared with rosemary oil isolated by hydrodistillation. Chemical analysis revealed that, although roughly the same compounds were extracted, the two oils possessed a widely different percentage composition. Qualitative aroma testing showed that the oil obtained by SFE using CO2 showed a fragrance that better resembled that of the rosemary leaves used for the isolation of the oil.
Rosmarinus officinalis L. is a perennial herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is used as a food flavouring agent, and well known medicinally for its powerful antimutagenic, antibacterial and chemopreventive properties. Essential oils were obtained from this plant by hydrodistillation (HD) and solvent free microwave extraction (SFME). GC–MS analyses of the oils revealed the presence of 24 and 21 compounds in the essential oils obtained through HD and SFME, respectively. The total yield of the volatile fractions obtained through HD and SFME was 0.31% and 0.39%, respectively. Higher amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes such as borneol, camphor, terpene-4-ol, linalool, α-terpeneol (28.6%) were present in the oil of SFME in comparison with HD (26.98%). However, HD oil contained more monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, myrcene, α-phellanderene, 1,8-cineole, trans β-ocimene, γ-terpenene, and cis sabinene hydrate (32.95%) than SFME extracted oil (25.77%). The essential oils obtained using the two methods of extraction were active against all the bacteria tested at a concentration of 10 mg ml−1. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.23 mg ml−1 and 7.5 mg ml−1.
Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation from Cuminum cyminum and Rosmarinus officinalis were characterized by means of GC and GC–MS. C. cyminum and R. officinalis contained α-pinene (29.1%, 14.9%), 1,8-cineole (17.9%, 7.43%) and linalool (10.4%, 14.9%), respectively, as the major compounds. C. cyminum oil exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than did R. officinalis oil against E. coli, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes. Complete death time on exposure to Cuminum cyminum L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. oils were 20 and 25 min 180 and 240 min and 90 and 120 min for E. coli, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes, respectively. Radical-scavenging and antioxidant properties were tested by means of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the β-carotene bleaching test. These properties were compared to those of Thymus x-porlock essential oil, used as a reference ingredient. The radical scavenging performance of the rosemary oil was better than that of C. cyminum. Results from the antioxidant test were better than those provided by the radical-scavenging activity. C. cyminum and R. officinalis essential oils may be considered as potent agents in food preservation.
The antioxidant and antibacterial effect of rosemary, orange and lemon extracts was investigated in cooked Swedish-style meatballs. Activity in a lard system was established for all the extracts and further determination of the development of rancidity as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances consistently showed that about 50% of the rancidity can be controlled by the citrus preparations. Two of the rosemary extracts (water soluble and oil soluble) were more effective with practically complete elimination of rancidity (TBA values) after a period of 12 days. Rosemary extract activity against lactic acid bacteria and Listeria but not Brochothrix thermosphacta was demonstrated in an agar diffusion test, but in the product only lactic acid bacteria counts were slightly reduced. Sensory analysis results, particularly aroma and acceptability scores, indicated the significant advantages in using rosemary and citrus extracts in rancidity-susceptible meat products.
The essential oil of the aerial parts of Rosmarinus officinalis collected from Konya, Turkey was analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The oil yield of dried plant (volume/dry weight) obtained by hydrodistillation was 1.9%. Twenty compounds representing 99.93% of the oils were identified. The main constituents of the oils were p-cymene (44.02%), linalool (20.5%), gamma-terpinene (16.62%), thymol (1.81%), beta-pinene (3.61%), alpha-pinene (2.83%) and eucalyptol (2.64%). The oil consisted of monoterpenic hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Also, the inhibition effect of rosemary oil was investigated against Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum. The experiment was carried out in vitro using disc diffusion to investigate the antifungal action of the oil. Oil tested on potato dextrose agar plates exhibited an inhibitory effect. The extent of inhibition of fungal growth varied depending on the levels of essential oil used in experiment.
Three phytochemical compounds (alopecurone A-C), flavanostilbenes which are produced by condensation between a hydroxyflavanone and a hydroxystilbene, were isolated as major components from the root of Sophora alopecuroides. They uniformly inhibited the growth of 21 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 3.13-6.25 micrograms ml-1.
Bitter principles and related constituents have been isolated from Vernonia amygdalina (Compositae), a plant ingested by wild chimpanzees sometimes suffering from parasite-related diseases in the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. These isolated constituents were the known sesquiterpene lactones (vernodalin, vernolide, hydroxyvernolide), and new stigmastane-type steroid glucosides (vernonioside A1-A4: for bitter tasting constituents and vernonioside B1-B3; for nonbitter related constituents). Antiparasitic activity tests of these constituents together with quantitative analyses of the major active constituents, vernodalin and vernonioside B1, supported the hypothesis that Mahale chimpanzees control parasite-related diseases by ingesting the pith of this plant, found to contain several steroid-related constituents. While the major active steroid-related constituents (vernonioside B1 and its primary aglycone, vernoniol B1) do not taste bitter themselves, it was hypothesized that the highly bitter constituents including vernodalin may play an important role as signals to the ingester guiding their choice of the appropriate plant, plant part, and possibly also as signals which help to control the amount of intake.
The development of clinical vancomycin-resistant strains of enterococci (VRE) is a major cause for concern. Here we show that a combination of galangin or 3,7-dihydroxyflavone with vancomycin may be used to sensitize resistant strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium to the level of vancomycin-sensitive strains.
Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and viable counts were determined in Iso-sensitest broth using a microtitre method. MICs of vancomycin against 67% of resistant clinical isolates and a type strain of enterococci were lowered from > 250 μg mL−1 to < 4 μg mL−1 in the presence of galangin (12.5 μg mL−1) or 3,7-dihydroxyflavone (6.25 μg mL−1).
Viable counts for type culture E. faecalis ATCC 51299 showed the flavonoids alone significantly lowered numbers of colony forming units (CFUs). CFUs were maintained at low levels (< 103 CFU mL−1) for 24 h by vancomycin/flavone combinations. This combinational action in reversing vancomycin resistance of enterococci highlights novel drug targets and has importance in the design of new therapeutic regimes against resistant pathogens.
Cilantro oil is an essential oil preparation extracted from the plant Coriandrum sativium. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of cilantro oil to control the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on vacuum-packed ham. The in vitro minimal inhibitory concentration for five strains of L. monocytogenes was found to vary from 0.074% to 0.018% depending on strain. Cilantro oil treatments were then tested on ham disks inoculated with a cocktail of the five L. monocytogenes strains. The treatments studied were 0.1%, 0.5%, and 6% cilantro oil diluted in sterile canola oil or incorporated into a gelatin gel in which lecithin was used to enhance incorporation of the cilantro oil. Gelatin gel treatments were also conducted with 1.4% monolaurin with or without 6% cilantro oil to determine if an interaction between the antimicrobials could increase inhibition of L. monocytogenes. Treated ham was then vacuum-packed and stored at 10 degrees C for up to 4 weeks. The only cilantro oil treatment which inhibited growth of L. monocytogenes on the ham samples was 6% cilantro oil gel. Samples receiving this treatment had populations of L. monocytogenes 1.3 log CFU/ml lower than controls at week 1 of storage, though there was no difference between treatments from week 2 onward. It appears that immobilization of the antimicrobial in a gel enhanced the effect of treatments. Cilantro oil does not appear to be a suitable agent for the control of L. monocytogenes on ham. The possible reasons for reduced effectiveness of cilantro oil against L. monocytogenes on ham are discussed.
The chemical composition of the essential oil of the Sardinian Rosmarinus officinalis L. obtained by hydro distillation and steam\hydro distillation was studied using GC-FID and MS. Samples were collected at different latitude and longitude of Sardinia (Italy). The yields ranged between 1.75 and 0.48% (v/w, volume/dry-weight). A total of 30 components were identified. The major compounds in the essential oil were alpha-pinene, borneol, (-) camphene, camphor, verbenone, and bornyl-acetate. Multivariate analysis carried out on chemical molecular markers, with the appraisal of chemical, pedological, and random amplified polymorphic DNA data, allows four different clusters to be distinguished. The antimicrobial and antifungal tests showed a weak activity of Sardinian rosemary. On the other hand, an inductive effect on fungal growth, especially toward Fusarium graminearum was observed.
Two new abietane-type diterpenoid o-quinones, 7beta-methoxyabieta-8,13-diene-11,12-dione-(20,6beta)-olide (rosmaquinone A) (1) and 7alpha-methoxyabieta-8,13-diene-11,12-dione-(20,6beta)-olide (rosmaquinone B) (2), together with six known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Rosmarinus officinalis L. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including IR, UV, HR-EIMS, 1D and 2D 400 MHz NMR data (1H, 13C NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOEs).
Bone metabolism involves a complex balance between the deposition of matrix and mineralization and resorption. There is now good evidence that dietary components and herbal products can influence these processes, particularly by inhibiting bone resorption, thus having beneficial effects on the skeleton. For example, it has been reported that a number of common vegetables, including onion, garlic and parsley, can inhibit bone resorption in ovariectomized rats. Essential oils derived from sage, rosemary, thyme and other herbs inhibit osteoclast activity in vitro and in vitro and leading to an increase in bone mineral density. Soya, a rich source of isoflavones, has shown promising results and epidemiological evidence to support a use in maintaining bone health, and various traditional herbal formulae in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine also have demonstrable effects in pharmacological models of osteoporosis. Recently, cannabinoids have been described as having positive effects on osteoblast differentiation, and the presence of cannabinoid receptors in bone tissue indicates a more complex role in bone metabolism than previously thought. The first part of this review briefly discusses normal bone metabolism and disorders caused by its disruption, with particular reference to osteoporosis and current pharmacological treatments. The effects of natural products on bone and connective tissue are then discussed, to include items of diet, herbal extracts and food supplements, with evidence for their efficacy outlined.
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- K Willekea
- S A Grinshpun
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