Cytotoxic and anti-HIV activities of some Tanzanian Garcinia species

Abstract

Cancer and HIV/AIDS remains the greatest public health and humanitarian challenges in the current world's health sector. For many decades now, millions of lives have been compromised by the two diseases. This study has evaluated ethanol extracts from nine Garcinia plant species collected in Tanzania for their in vitro cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines and for anti-HIV activity against HIV-1 viral replication in MT4 cells. Among the tested extracts, the fruit extracts of G. livingstoneii and G. semseii showed moderate to mild cytotoxic activities against A549, DU145, KB and Kbivin human cell lines with 50 % cytotoxic (CC50) values ranging from 5.7-20.0 μg/ml. Furthermore, only fruit extracts of G. livingstonei and G. semseii showed significant anti-HIV-1 activity with EC50 values of 2.25 ± 0.51 and 0.93 ± 0.67 μg/ml respectively. This study has shown the potential of the Garcinia extracts to be the source of possible lead compounds and anti-HIV drug candidates currently needed for the management of HIV/AIDS. Phytochemical screening indicated dominance of phenolic compounds in Garcinia species while isolation of active principles from active fractions will be further undertaken.

Chemical composition of 8 eucalyptus species' essential oils and the evaluation of their antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities

“…The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC 50 ) was defined as the compound’s concentration (μg/mL) required for the reduction of cell viability by 50%, which were calculated by regression analysis [y = f(x); where y = % viability and x = concentration of extract, μg/mL]. The used definition of the cytotoxicity, as supported by other reports [21] was; CC 50  < 1.0 μg/mL – high cytotoxicity; CC 50  = 1.0-10.0 μg/mL – moderate; CC 50  = 10.0 - 20.0 μg/mL – mild cytotoxicity; and CC 50  > 20 μg/mL – non cytotoxic.…”

In vitro activity of some medicinal plants from Cachar district, Assam (India) against Candida albicans

“…[17,18] Phytochemical screening indicated dominance of phenolic compounds in Garcinia species. [19] However no information is available on G. lancifolia in respect to its antimicrobial activity as well as its chemical constituents. The leaf sap of Gnetum gnemon is used to cure an eye complication.…”

Epimedium koreanum Nakai Displays Broad Spectrum of Antiviral Activity in Vitro and in Vivo by Inducing Cellular Antiviral State

“…The EC 50 can be defined as the extract concentration at which 50% reduction in virus titre is observed, whereas the extract concentration that results in 50% cell viability is considered the CC 50 . To determine the EC 50 values of Epimedium koreanum Nakai against divergent viruses in vitro , we developed a modified GFP assay using RAW264.7 and HEK293T cell lines [ 29 , 30 ]. For the reason that, we used only the GFP-tagged viruses, 50% reduction in GFP expression was considered equivalent to the 50% reduction in virus titre.…”