Phytochemical Constituents and Potential of Different Extracts from Eleutherine bulbosa on Skin Infectious Treatment : Anti-fungal, Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activities

Abstract

Eleutherine bulbosa is a plant commonly employed in traditional medicine across various tropical regions, including Thailand. The aim of this study was to identify the phytochemical constituents of E. bulbosa, evaluate the inhibitory effects on skin fungal and bacterial pathogens, and examine the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties of extracts obtained from E. bulbosa bulbs through n-Hexane, EtOAc, and EtOH extraction methods. Agar diffusion, MIC, and MBC assays were employed to determine the fungistatic, bacteriostatic, and bactericidal activities. The EtOAc extract of E. bulbosa bulbs demonstrated the highest inhibition against fungal and bacterial strains when compared to other solvents. The results revealed that the EtOAc extract exhibited a potent anti-fungal effect on T. rubrum (the zones of inhibition = 35.00 ± 0.00 mm) comparable to Ketoconazole (the zones of inhibition = 34.33 ± 1.16 mm). The highest antibacterial activity against S. pyogenes was observed, with a zone diameter of 23.00 ± 1.00 mm, while the lowest MIC and MBC values were recorded at 19.53 and 78.12 μg/ml, respectively. Additionally, we demonstrated significant inhibitory properties of E. bulbosa bulbs extracted with n-Hexane on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells compared to other solvent extracts. This occurred without affecting cell viability across a concentration range of 6.25 to 25 μg/ml. Moreover, the less affected viability of fibroblasts suggests that the extract may be useful in preventing inflammatory diseases mediated by excessive production of NO with low toxicity to normal cells. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of various compounds with biological activities including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and tannins in all different solvent extracts. These findings suggest that E. bulbosa bulb extracts possess beneficial effects and hold potential for further development as a new natural source of multifunctional therapeutic agents, which are safe and effective for a broad spectrum of skin infectious microorganisms and also potentially reduce inflammation that is associated with an infection caused by microorganisms.