Antituberculosis Activity and Iron Chelation Ability of Brazilin Isolated from Caesalpinia Sappan L.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-tubercular activity of Brazilin and to know the role of iron chelation on the anti-tuberculosis activity of Brazilin. Anti-tuberculosis activity in vitro was tested through MIC values and a reduction in the number of Mtb bacterial cells. The MIC and MBC tests utilized extent technique comprising four treatment groups; the positive control (Lowenstein-Jensen medium inoculated with Mtb), the negative control (LJ medium), the anti-tuberculosis drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and streptomycin), and Brazilin at concentration 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, and 1024 ppm that were watched for about eight weeks. The iron chelation capability was assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results indicated that the MIC from Brazilin is 128 ppm and MBC of 256 ppm. Brazilin at 128 ppm showed iron chelation of 32.96% capacity and can reduce up to 72% Mtb cells in 10-3 inoculum dilution. Iron levels at Brazilin 128 ppm (MIC) are higher than iron levels at concentrations of 256 ppm (MBC), indicating that Brazilin binds to iron. The binding of iron by Brazilin results in the unavailability of iron for Mtb, and causes suppression of Mtb growth, further resulting in Mtb cell death. These results exhibit that Brazilin can be used as an iron-chelating agent that might be advantageous in treating and controlling mycobacteria infection.