Medicinal potential of Morella serata (Lam.) Killick (Myricaceae) root extracts: biological and pharmacological activities

Anofi Omotayo Tom Ashafa

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-163

Abstract

BackgroundMorella serata is a South African medicinal plant used in the treatment of microbial infections and to enhance male sexual performance. There is dearth of information in scientific literature on its efficacy and safety.MethodsIn the present study, the root extracts were investigated for the phytochemicals that may be present the antibacterial, anticandida activity using 96 wells microtitre plate method and cytotoxicity using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality assay.ResultsThe qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids. All the extracts including water inhibited both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria strains at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 0.09 – 6.25 mgmL-1. The best activity was observed in the acetone extract inhibiting all the bacteria tested at MIC range of 0.09 – 0.78 mgmL-1 except Shigella flexneri KZN that was inhibited at 1.56 mgmL-1. Similarly, all the extracts suppressed the growth of all Candida species and Trichophyton mucoides at MIC ranging from 0.13 – 3.13 mgmL-1. The cytotoxicity assay revealed potent cytotoxic potential of M. serata methanol and ethanol root extracts by displaying LC50 of 0.26 and 0.18 μgmL-1 respectively.ConclusionThe results obtained from the present study indicated broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and justifies the use of the plant in the treatment of infectious diseases. Also the species could be a good natural source of antitumor compounds considering its lethality against brine shrimp nauplii.

Highlights

Morella serata is a South African medicinal plant used in the treatment of microbial infections and to enhance male sexual performance
The results obtained from the present study indicated broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and justifies the use of the plant in the treatment of infectious diseases
The qualitative phytochemical investigation of M. serata root extracts revealed the presence of tannins, phlobatanins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids but alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were not detected (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Morella serata is a South African medicinal plant used in the treatment of microbial infections and to enhance male sexual performance. Plants are used medicinally in different countries of the world and are good source of many potent and powerful drugs [1]. In Africa, the use of plant derived remedies in traditional health care practices is common and widespread [2], even before the introduction of synthetic antibiotics and other modern drugs [3]. About 80% of the World’s population still depends on the traditional medicine practices for the management of various diseases [3,4]. To forestall adverse effects, sometimes life-threatning, allegedly arising from herbal remedies consumption, cytotoxicity testing, an integral component of the biological evaluation of pharmacological materials and an essential part of standard procedures becomes necessary [3]

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Conclusion