Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities of Some Antioxidant-Rich Cameroonian Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Traditional remedies have a long-standing history in Cameroon and continue to provide useful and applicable tools for treating ailments. Here, the anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ten antioxidant-rich Cameroonian medicinal plants and of some of their isolated compounds are evaluated.The plant extracts were prepared by maceration in organic solvents. Fractionation of plant extract was performed by column chromatography and the structures of isolated compounds (emodin, 3-geranyloxyemodin, 2-geranylemodin) were confirmed spectroscopically. The antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) bleaching method, the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and the hemoglobin ascorbate peroxidase activity inhibition (HAPX) assays. The anticancer activity was evaluated against A431 squamous epidermal carcinoma, WM35 melanoma, A2780 ovary carcinoma and cisplatin-resistant A2780cis cells, using a direct colorimetric assay. The total phenolic content in the extracts was determined spectrophotometrically by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Rumex abyssinicus showed the best AOA among the three assays employed. The AOA of emodin was significantly higher than that of 3-geranyloxyemodin and 2-geranylemodin for both TEAC and HAPX methods. The lowest IC50 values (i.e., highest cytotoxicity) were found for the extracts of Vismia laurentii, Psorospermum febrifugum, Pentadesma butyracea and Ficus asperifolia. The Ficus asperifolia and Psorospermum febrifugum extracts are selective against A2780cis ovary cells, a cell line which is resistant to the standard anticancer drug cisplatin. Emodin is more toxic compared to the whole extract, 3-geranyloxyemodin and 2-geranylemodin. Its selectivity against the platinum-resistant A2780cis cell line is highest. All of the extracts display antimicrobial activity, in some cases comparable to that of gentamycin.

Antimicrobial Activities of Some Medicinal Plants Against Multiresistants Microorganisms Causing Urogenital Tract Infections in Cameroon

“…Our results are slightly different from those of [24], but this difference in susceptibility could be attributed to the inherent resistance factors of the test organisms [26], the strains we used were by demonstrated to be multidrug resistant (see table V above). Moreover, the difference could also be explained by the test procedure which was different [24]. Except these properties, this plant has been shown to have antioxidant properties [24], anticancer activities [24,27] antihelmentic activities [28], diuretic and analgesic effects [29], antiplasmodial properties [30].…”

“…Antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts of R. berquaetii, P. febrifugum and Cussonia arborea corroborate those of literature [24], however, on the best of our knowledge, the antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts of Lonchocarpus sepium are reported here for the first time and have shown moderate activities on four strains (MIC≤8mg/ml).…”

“…Antimicrobial activities of this plant has previously been demonstrated on Salmonella typhymurium, Listeria monocytogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophiticus [24] an against streptococcus pyogenes, S. aureus, Coxsackie virus B3 and Influenza A virus [25]. Our results are slightly different from those of [24], but this difference in susceptibility could be attributed to the inherent resistance factors of the test organisms [26], the strains we used were by demonstrated to be multidrug resistant (see table V above). Moreover, the difference could also be explained by the test procedure which was different [24].…”

“…Moreover, the difference could also be explained by the test procedure which was different [24]. Except these properties, this plant has been shown to have antioxidant properties [24], anticancer activities [24,27] antihelmentic activities [28], diuretic and analgesic effects [29], antiplasmodial properties [30].…”

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities of <i>Strychnos lucida</i> R. Br.

“…The scientific basis of which is required for possible use of herbal drugs in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, infections and those related with oxidative damage (Tamokou et al, 2013). This study thus reports the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of S. lucida.…”