Comparative in vitro cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbiological activities of two indigenous Venda medicinal plants

Abstract

Background: The Vhembe region of the Limpopo province has a rich tradition of medicinal plants use. Traditionally, boiled roots of Ziziphus mucronata are used in the treatment of boils, general swelling and other skin infections. A combination of leaf paste and root infusion treats measles, dysentery, chest complains, and gland swelling. Pterocarpus angolensis is famous for the treatment of menorrhagia, infertility in women, wounds and pain management. The purpose of the present study was to compare the cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory potential and anti-microbial activities of Ziziphus mucronata and Pterocarpus angolensis from the Vhembe region. Method: U937, MeWo, Vero and RAW 264.7 cells were treated to various concentrations (50, 100, or 125 or 250 μg/ml depending on assays) of Ziziphus mucronata and Pterocarpus angolensis. Cytotoxicity assay was done using MTT; Antiinflammatory activity was assessed using NO production; Anti-bacterial activity was done using the Micro-Broth dilution method and Anti-mycobacteria activity was determined using the Alamar Blue Method while RT activity was measured by ELISA. Results: Cytotoxicity results showed that Pterocarpus was more toxic than Ziziphus as observed in the Vero and MeWo cells; however both displayed toxicity towards a Human cancer cell line. Both extracts did not inhibit nitrate production but induced significant increase in macrophage activation. The plant extracts have shown anti-tuberculosis activity at concentrations >500 μg/ml and there was moderation inhibition of HIV replication. Conclusions: The results obtained indicated that the extracts have pro-inflammatory properties, and the observed toxicity on malignant cell lines must be investigated further for promising anti-cancer drug therapy.

Extracts Obtained from Pterocarpus angolensis DC and Ziziphus mucronata Exhibit Antiplasmodial Activity and Inhibit Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) Function

“…The two plants were identified using their Venda vernacular names, Makhalu and Mutondo in their natural habitat in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. The plants were later confirmed by the taxonomic rank at the Department of Botany, University of Venda with reference to the international plant name index ( Ziziphus mucronata Willd [MPT00123] and Pterocarpus angolensis DC [MPT00118] as previously described [ 21 ]. Stem bark samples were processed for each plant, the samples were first air dried and ground to powder using a Büchi mixer (Büchi Labortechnik AG, Flawil, Switzerland).…”

“…Briefly, P. angolensis fraction 1 (PaF1) was obtained from 50% hexane, 50% ethyl acetate (1:1), PaF2a and 2b were obtained from 90% ethyl acetate, 10% methanol; PaF3a-c were obtained from 70% ethyl acetate and 30% methanol while PaF4 was obtained from 10% ethyl acetate 90% methanol [ 35 ]. The stem bark for Ziziphus mucronata (MPT00123) was also processed as previously described [ 21 ] and used to extract fractions by soaking in ethanol to obtain the crude extract (Zm). The Zm was also subjected to silica gel column chromatography and eluted in five fractions.…”

“…Pterocarpus angolensis DC belongs to the family of Fabaceae [ 18 ]. P. angolensis has been reported to have antimicrobial properties and is used to treat malaria, among other diseases [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Ziziphus mucronata belongs to the Rhamnaceae family and is found in most parts of South Africa [ 22 ].…”

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Selected South African Medicinal Plants

“…Sigidi et al, 56 , earlier postulated that in order for any natural product of herbal origin to be clinically relevance, there must be preferencial lithality that is aiming at the host system in question, and hence interference with metabolic activities with bearable level of lethality. Cytotoxicity evaluation of methanolic extracts of Z. mucronata, W. salutaris and E. autumnalis, using MTT assay procedure on HEK293 cell line and the experimental control counterpart employed, ascorbic acid respectively are represented in Table 1.…”

“…The degree of toxicity exhibited by these extracts are some way related to the level of preference of these extracts on the cell line employed. 56 It is therefore, imperative to note that the experimental herbs have wide range of safety marging of toxicity, with minimal amount of lethal compounds, but when cautiously administered, they are therapeutically viable.…”