Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis, <i>In-vitro</i> Evaluation of Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity of <i>Cleome aspera</i> Aerial Part Extracts

Abstract

Various species of the Cleome genus belong to the circle of relatives Cleomaceae family, and order Brassicales, constitute flowering flora with a long record of use in conventional remedies, and have been related to the prevention of many illnesses. Cleome aspera has not been thoroughly investigated in the medicinal area; however, it may offer a therapeutic choice in favour of the management of various disorders. In this recent study, the aerial parts of C. aspera were extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol sequentially in ascending polarity order. Ethanol extract exhibited a rich phytochemical profile and antibacterial and anti-cancer action among the solvent extracts. The phytochemical analysis of three extracts exhibited the existence of many secondary metabolites like flavonoids, alkaloids tannins, polyphenols, steroids, glycosides, and terpenoids. The antibacterial activity against two Gram (+) bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), as well as two Gram (-) bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) was assessed at three concentrations (50, 100, 200 μg/ml) of each extract. The broth dilution method tested the extract’s minimum inhibitory concentration against four bacterial strains. Using the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay, the three extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol) of C. aspera were evaluated for in-vitro cytotoxic activity. The extracts were detected to have substantial antibacterial activity against Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria in a dose-dependent manner. The ethanol extract of C. aspera showed notable anticancer efficacy after comparing it with petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate extracts. This study proved that the plant C. aspera has potential as a source of plant-based drugs and has therapeutic qualities like antibacterial and anticancer activities. It may provide a healing choice for the control of several diseases. A further extensive study on the isolation of active ingredients, purification, characterization, and elucidation of viable mechanisms can be executed.