Antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of Chenopodium glaucum L.

Safi Ullah Khan,Arsalan Ahmad Rahi,Sultan Mehmood,Shah Fahad,Rahul Datta,Faizan Ullah,Subhan Danish,Eldessoky S Dessoky,Fayez Althobaiti,Shah Saud,Shahid Farooq

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0255502

Abstract

We evaluated phytochemical composition, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-oxidant and cytotoxic properties of aqueous (water) and organic extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane) of Chenopodium glaucum. Highest phenolic content 45 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g d.w was found in aqueous extract followed by ethyl acetate (41mg GAE/g d.w) and methanol extract (34.46 mg GAE/g d.w). Antibacterial potential of aqueous and organic extracts of C. glaucum was examined against Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The aqueous, methanolic, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane extract showed antibacterial activity against A. baumannii, K. pneumoniae, E. coli and S. epidermidis. However, against A. baumannii significantly higher inhibition zone (19 mm and 18.96 mm respectively) was shown by ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. Aqueous extract possessed highest growth inhibition (11 mm) against E. coli. Aqueous, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed 9 mm, 10 mm, and 10.33 mm zone of inhibition against the K. pneumoniae. For antifungal activity, the extracts were less effective against Aspergillus niger but showed strong antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus). The antioxidant activity was measured as DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), H2O2 and ABTS (2, 2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity of free radicals. All the organic extracts of C. glaucum possessed ABTS, DPPH and H2O2 scavenging properties. The highest cytotoxic activity measured as half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) against human lungs carcinoma cells was recorded for methanolic (IC50 = 16 μg/mL) and n-hexane (IC50 = 25 μg/mL) extracts, respectively. The Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed 4 major and 26 minor compounds in n-hexane extract and 4 major and 7 minor compounds in methanol extract of the C. glaucum. It is concluded that aqueous and organic extracts of C. glaucum would be potential therapeutic agents and could be exploited on a pilot scale to treat human pathogenic diseases.

Highlights

Medicinal plants have been used by human beings in the treatment of pathogenic diseases since time immemorable
The total soluble phenolic content of C. glaucum was determined in aqueous, ethyl acetate, methanol, and n-hexane extract (Fig 1)
The highest phenolic content (45 mg GAE/g d.w) was found in an aqueous extract prepared, followed by ethyl acetate (41 mg GAE/g d.w) and methanol extract (34.46 mg GAE/g d.w) and the lowest recorded in n-hexane extract (24.57mg GAE/g d.w)

Summary

Introduction

Medicinal plants have been used by human beings in the treatment of pathogenic diseases since time immemorable. Approximately 80% of the population in developing countries use medicinal plants for the treatment of pathogenic diseases [1]. The greater use of medicinal plants in the treatment of pathogenic diseases is due to the fact that they are effective and safe, economical and usually have no side effects [4]. Medicinal plants have phytochemicals of biological significance and therapeutic value [5]. They contain natural antioxidants effective in the prevention of oxidative stress [6]. The phytochemicals present in various organs of medicinal plants can be used as natural antioxidants, alternative to synthetic antibiotics, as food preservatives and nutraceuticals

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Discussion

Conclusion