Study ofin vitroantimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of selected Saharan plants

Abstract

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of selected Saharan species, which are applied in the traditional medicine but not studied thoroughly from chemical and pharmacological point of view. The studied plants, namely Anthyllis henoniana, Centropodia forskalii, Cornulaca monacantha, Ephedra alata var. alenda, Euphorbia guyoniana, Helianthemum confertum, Henophyton deserti, Moltkiopsis ciliata and Spartidium saharae were collected from remote areas of North Africa, especially from the Tunisian region of Sahara. After drying and applying the appropriate extraction methods, the plant extracts were tested in antimicrobial screening assay, performed on 19 Gram-positive and -negative strains of microbes. The inhibition zones produced by plant extracts were determined by disc-diffusion method. Remarkable antibacterial activities were exhibited by extracts of Ephedra alata var. alenda and Helianthemum confertum against B. subtilis, M. catarrhalis and methicillin-resistant and non-resistant S. aureus. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of these two species were also determined. Antiproliferative effects of the extracts were evaluated against 4 human adherent cell lines (HeLa, A431, A2780 and MCF7). Notable cell growth inhibition was found for extract of Helianthemum confertum and Euphorbia guyoniana. Our results provided data for selection of some plant species for further detailed pharmacological and phytochemical examinations.

Radical Scavenging and Antioxidant Activity of Anthyllis Vulneraria Leaves and Flowers

“…Despite advanced research and the discovery of treatments, many infectious and cancerous diseases remain a global problem causing deaths worldwide. Therefore, numerous studies have been conducted to identify new antimicrobial and anticancer agents from herbs [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Structural characterization of bioactive compounds in Cotula cinerea extracts by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array and high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry detectors

“…Five different phenolic acid compounds were found in the extracts of Cotula cinerea giving UV spectra characteristic of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. 13,23 Among these, two were simple hydroxycinnamic derivatives, identified as caffeic acid (1) and coumaric acid (2). Their characterization was achieved by comparing their characteristic UV and MS spectral data with those of authentic standards (Table 1) and previously reported data.…”

“…Adaptations to such conditions may require physiological modifications, and possibly gene regulation for new metabolic pathways. As a consequence of the extreme unfavorable environmental conditions, such potentially bioactive compounds could have unique and unusual structures with some remarkable biological activities …”

In vitro evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Asparagus aphyllus L., Crataegus azarolus L., and Ephedra alata Decne.in monocultures and co-cultures of HepG2 and THP-1-derived macrophages

“…23 Antibacterial inhibition was also noted as an effect of EA on B. subtilis, M. catarrhalis and methicillinresistant and non-resistant S. aureus bacteria. 24,25 Ephedra decreased NF-κB p65 activity leading to alleviation of lung damage and regulation of the cytokine production (IL-2 elevation and IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α mRNA inhibition in lung tissues). 26,27 Crataegus azarolus L. (Azarolein English, Za'roor in Arabic), is used in the Greco-Arab traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases, sexual weakness, cancer and diabetes.…”