Screening of Rhamnus Purpurea (Edgew.) Leaves for Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Potential

Abstract

Exploring new antimicrobial and cytotoxic drugs has been one of the most active areas of research. Rhamnus purpurea (Edgew.) buckthorn ( Rhamnaceae ) is a wild shrub traditionally used in Pakistan for the treatment of various ailments including cancer and infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to find novel antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents of plant origin. The crude methanol extract and full range of fractions of R. purpurea leaves were screened for the said activities using in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic models following standard protocols. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method, while the antioxidant activity was assessed with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The cytotoxic effect was investigated against the human cancer cell lines i.e. Caco-2 (gut), A549 (lung), HepG2 (liver), and MDA-MB-231 (breast) by MTS assay. In addition, toxicity studies were conducted on renal and alveolar primary epithelial cells (HRPTEpiC and HPAEpiC, respectively). Phytochemical investigation showed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, phenols, carbohydrates, proteins, and flavonoids. The n -hexane and chloroform fractions showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.60 and 0.68 mg/mL, respectively), Salmonella typhi (MIC 0.48 and 0.45 mg/mL, respectively), and Bacillus subtilis (MIC 0.54 and 0.76 mg/mL, respectively). Among fungal strains, crude methanol and chloroform fractions exhibited significant activity against Fusarium solani (MIC 0.53 and 0.44 mg/mL, respectively) and Aspergillus niger (MIC 0.47 and 0.42 mg/mL, respectively). The crude methanol, n -hexane and chloroform fractions revealed the highest antioxidant activity at 1000 μg/mL, compared to that of ascorbic acid. The n -hexane fraction showed a significant cytotoxic effect against Caco-2, A549, and HepG2 cell lines with IC 50 values of 5.65 ± 0.88, 5.50 ± 0.90, and 4.95 ± 1.0 μg/mL, respectively. Similarly, the chloroform fraction depicted significant activity against Caco-2, A549, and HepG2 cell lines with IC 50 values of 4.55 ± 1.25, 4.65 ± 1.55, and 2.85 ± 0.98 μg/mL, respectively. The crude methanol extract and almost all fractions exhibited the highest selectivity index (>2.0) for Caco-2, A549, and HepG2 cancer cell lines, providing safety data for this study. The results showed that R. purpurea leaves have excellent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potential and warrant further studies to search for novel compounds for the said activities.

An Evaluation of the Anti-QS Activity and Virulence Factors Production Potential of Rhamnus cathartica L. against Some Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

“…Flavonoids, secondary metabolites, are widely available in the plant kingdom, both in free form and the form of glycosides, with a wide range of pharmacological [38] Derivatives of various flavonoids from the genus Rhamnus have been reported. Members of this genus have had a wide range of applications in modern medicine from ancient times to the present [39] In addition, the plants of the genus Rhamnus are known for antimicrobial, antirheumatic, hypoglycemic, anthelmintic, antipyretic, antiepileptic, and antidiabetic, in the treatment of vertigo, headache, eye diseases, and elimination of intestinal worms [19] . The main strategy to avoid or reduce QS-regulated bacterial virulence is to block the receptor by structural analogs of the QS signaling molecule.…”

“…[15], Enterococcus faecalis [18] and P. vulgaris [15] are effective against different types of bacteria. R. cathartica L. (Buckthorn) belongs to the Rhamnaceae and is used as medicine among the subtropical regions of North and South America, East Asia, and Africa [19]. The Rhamnaceae family has a worldwide distribution but is more common in tropical and subtropical regions.…”

“…Species belonging to this genus, in which endemic species mostly spread around the Mediterranean, are shrubs with different heights ranging from short shrubs that can grow up to 0.5 m to 4-5 m in height [20]. Previous studies highlighted the antimicrobial effect of the herbal extract of other components of the Rhamnus [19,21]. Previous studies revealed the molecular sequences of the plant-derived agents used in the treatment, researching and formulating the usage doses, determining the safety and effect of use, and even pharmacological profiles have led to the expansion of the field of ethnopharmacology.…”

Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Alnus nitida Leaf Extract as a Potential Antioxidant and Anticancer Agent

“…The cytotoxic activity of A. nitida and its corresponding NPs were assessed using MTT assay. 31 Selected cancer cell lines including breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), lung adenocarcinoma (A549), and hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) cells were cultured with DMEM medium supplemented with FBS (10%) and penicillin–streptomycin (1% v/v) solutions. The cells were incubated at 37 ° C with 5% CO 2 .…”

In Vitro Wound-healing Activity of Ziziphus jujuba and Its Anti-inflammatory Effects in Rats

“…The presence of phytochemicals was analyzed in the EEZ. For the screening of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, phenols, carbohydrates, proteins, and flavonoids, the method established by Khuda et al [5] Evaluation of inflammation induced by carrageenan. Female Wistar albino rats (150-200 g) were maintained under the following conditions: temperature (23 ± 2 • C), humidity (55% ± 5%), and light (12 h light/dark cycle), and had access to food and water ad libitum.…”