Abstract
The current paper investigated the potential benefit of the traditional Mexican medicinal plant Laennecia confusa (Cronquist) G. L. Nesom (Asteraceae). Fractions from the hexane, chloroform, methanol, and aqueous extracts were analyzed for antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic activities. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts and fractions was assessed on bacterial and fungal strains, in addition to the protozoa Leishmania donovani, using a microdilution assay. The propensity of the plant's compounds to produce adverse effects on human health was also evaluated using propidium iodine to identify damage to human macrophages. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts and fractions was investigated by measuring the secretion of interleukin-6. Chemical analyses demonstrated the presence of flavonoids, cyanogenic and cardiotonic glycosides, saponins, sesquiterpene lactones, and triterpenes in the chloroform extract. A number of extracts and fractions show antibacterial activity. Of particular interest is antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and its relative methicillin-resistant strain, MRSA. Hexanic and chloroformic fractions also exhibit antifungal activity and two extracts and the fraction CE 2 antiparasitic activity against Leishmania donovani. All bioactive extracts and fractions assayed were also found to be cytotoxic to macrophages. In addition, the hexane and methane extracts show anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the secretion of interleukine-6.
Highlights
Ethnomedicine can be documented as far back as the Middle Paleolithic age, some 60,000 years ago [1]
The current paper investigated the potential benefit of the traditional Mexican medicinal plant Laennecia confusa (Cronquist) G
Of special interest is the potency of two fractions from the CEE (CE 4) and Methanol extract (MEE) (ME 3), which show strong anti-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity
Summary
Ethnomedicine can be documented as far back as the Middle Paleolithic age, some 60,000 years ago [1]. The WHO Traditional Medicine Programme identified a total of 122 plant-derived compounds employed clinically, demonstrating the value of plants in drug discovery [1]. Still much of the vast body of knowledge in traditional medicine remains unexplored in regards to drug development. The genus Conyza (Asteraceae) is comprised of approximately 400 species [2], and several species are known for their use in traditional medicine. Conyza blinii is used in Chinese folk medicine to treat gastroenteritis, chronic bronchitis, and other inflammatory diseases [3].
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