In vitro cytotoxic, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants from Vanuatu

Abstract

Sixty-three extracts obtained from 18 plants traditionally used in the South Pacific archipelago Vanuatu for the treatment of infectious diseases were screened for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities. In addition, the extracts were subjected to a detailed analysis on cytotoxic effects toward a panel of human cancer cell lines, designed as a smaller version of the NCI60 screen. Intriguingly, 15 plant extracts exhibited strong cytotoxic effects specific for only one cancer cell line. Extracts of the leaves of Acalypha grandis Benth. significantly affected Plasmodium falciparum without showing obvious effects against the other protozoa tested. The leaves of Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. displayed significant activity against Trypanosoma b. brucei and the leaves of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Lam. I as well as the stems of Macropiper latifolium (L.f.) against Trypanosoma cruzi. In contrast none of the extracts showed relevant antibacterial or antifungal activity.

Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiplasmodial, Antileishmanial, and Antitrypanosomal Activity of Medicinal Plants Used in Saudi and Yemeni Traditional Medicine

“…We previously reported interesting antiplasmodial activity for the methanol and aqueous extracts of A. fruticosa [16], whereby both extracts showed complete inhibition of schizont maturation at 7.8  μ g/mL. Furthermore, Bradacs et al [17] reported that the leaf extracts of A. grandis significantly affected P. falciparum without showing obvious effects on other protozoa. Additionally, the extract and fractions of A. wilkesiana dose-dependently reduced parasitaemia induced by chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei infection in prophylactic, suppressive, and curative mouse models [18].…”

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of coronaridine from Tabernaemontana catharinensis A.DC in a human laryngeal epithelial carcinoma cell line (Hep-2)

“…These results demonstrate that coronaridine and heyneanine reversed the process of multiple drug resistance in the vincristine-resistant cell line. Bradacs et al (2010) evaluated the cytotoxic activity of a methanol extract of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui . This extract exhibited potent activity against renal cancer cells (786-0), with an IC 50 value of 4.62 μg/mL.…”

Differential Deterrent Activity of Natural Products Isolated from <i>Allophylus edulis</i> (Sapindaceae)

“…Fourteen fractions were obtained. Some of them were further separated in flash chromatography and preparative HPLC (see above) obtaining six isolated compounds (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) 2-oxo-13-hidroxy-neo-cleroda-3,14-diene (6) …”

“…Cytotoxicity is another property that has been described in species of this genus. In a study of A. timoriensis, its extracts showed to be cytotoxic to carcinogenic lung and colon cells [5].…”