Chemical profiling, in vitro antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser – A hemiparasitic Indian mistletoe

Abstract

Elytranthe parasitica, popularly known as Macrosolen parasiticus, is a hemiparasitic mistletoe species in India. It has been traditionally used in veterinary medicine. The main objective of this research is to examine its chemical constituents, and in vitro antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. The qualitative screening of phytoconstituents revealed the existence of tannins, phenols, glycosides, flavonols, sterols, saponins, terpenoids, carbohydrates, fixed oil, and fats. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy screening of stem methanol extract showed the appearance of 11 bioactive phytoconstituents. Octadecenoic acid,4-hydroxybutyl ester (22.95%); 2H-1-Benzopyran-7-ol, 3,4-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-phenyl-(21.90%); Oleic acid (14.18%); and 9-Hexadecenoic acid (10.59%) were the major identified compounds. The methanolic stem extract exhibited considerable antibacterial activity and showed a good inhibition zone against Xanthomonas campestris (19.83 ± 44 mm) followed by Salmonella typhi (15.50 ± 0.28 mm) and Enterococcus faecalis (15.50 ± 0.28 mm) and the minimum inhibition zone showed against Escherichia coli (12.66 ± 0.33 mm). The methanolic stem extract showed, moderate cytotoxicity on prostate, and pancreatic cancer cell lines at higher concentrations with the inhibitory concentration at 50% growth values 372.27 ± 22.07 µg/mL and 443.33 ± 17.85 µg/mL, respectively, but it has no cytotoxic effects on normal mouse embryo fibroblast cells (MEF-L239).