Antimicrobial Activity Of Methanol Extracts Research Articles

In vitro antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities of plant extracts from Spathodea campanulata, Ficus bubu, and Carica papaya

Context African medicinal plants represent a prominent source of new active substances. In this context, three plants were selected for biological investigations based on their traditional uses. Objective The antimicrobial and anti-proliferative features of three plants used for medicinal purpose were evaluated. Materials and methods The antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts of Ficus bubu Warb. (Moraceae) stem bark and leaves, of Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) flowers, as well as those of Carica papaya Linn. (Caricaceae) latex, were determined using the microbroth dilution method against a set of bacteria and fungi pathogens including: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, S. saprophyticus, S. epidermididis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhimurium, Candida albicans, and Trichophyton rubrum. The tested concentrations of extracts ranged from 2500.0 to 2.4 μg/mL and MIC values were evaluated after 24 h incubation at 37 °C. Subsequently, MTT assay was used to estimate anti-proliferative activity of these methanol extracts and of F. bubu latex on three human cancer cell lines (U373 glioblastoma, A549 NSCLC, and SKMEL-28 melanoma). Results The methanol extract of F. bubu stem bark exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against C. albicans with a MIC value of 9.8 μg/mL, while the F. bubu latex and the methanol extract of F. bubu leaves induced significant anti-proliferative activity against lung (IC50 values of 10 and 14 μg/mL, respectively) and glioma (IC50 values of 13 and 16 μg/mL, respectively) cancer cells. Conclusion These results indicate that effective drugs could be derived from the three studied plants.

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Traditional Medicinal Plants from the Balkan Peninsula

Negative effects of available antibiotics and the constant development of bacterial resistance motivate a search for new antimicrobial agents. Aromatics plants have traditionally been used as antibacterial agents and are well accepted today as a source of antioxidants. The present study evaluated the antibacterial activities and antioxidant capacity of eight aromatic plants, indigenous to the flora of the Balkan Peninsula, which are used as medicinal plants in traditional medicine. The plants studied were Hyssopus officinalis, Angelica pancicii, Angelica sylvestris, Laserpitium latifolium, Achillea grandifolia, Achillea crithmifolia, Artemisia absinthium and Tanacetum parthenium. The antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts of the plant tissues against 16 bacterial isolates of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp., Proteus mirabilis, Acinetobacter sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis were investigated using a microwell dilution assay. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged from 6.3 to 100mg mL-1, and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranged from 12.5 to 100mg mL-1. Antioxidant potential of the extracts was analyzed as contents of total phenols and flavonoids; radical scavenging activity by the ABTS+ and DPPH methods, and reducing power by the iron (III) to iron (II) reduction assay, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Results of antioxidative activities from the 4 methods demonstrated similar sequence of activity: A. crithmifolia>A. grandifolia>H. officinalis>A. absinthium>T. parthenium>L. latifolium>A. pancicii>A. sylvestris. The total content of polyphenols and flavonoids in the methanol extracts of the studied species positively correlated with their antioxidant properties, confirming their major role in antioxidant activity of these species.

Antimicrobial activity of leaf and root methanolic extracts from Vinca pusilla Murr.

Vinca pusilla Murr. is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat several diseases. To substantiate the traditional medicinal utility of the plant, the present study aims at screening the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of leaves and roots against five Gram positive, five Gram negative bacterial and four fungal strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined by two fold dilution assay. The results indicated that, leaf and root extracts were more effective on Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus strains (MIC < 1 mg/mL). The tested organisms were sensitive to root extract compared to leaf extract. Fungal strains were resistant than the bacterial strains to both the extracts. Thus the present study illustrates the antimicrobial potential of the plant.

Nematicidal and antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts of 17 plants, of importance in ethnopharmacology, obtained from the Arabian Peninsula.

Aim/Background:The development of resistance to synthetic drugs by target organisms is a major challenge facing medicine, yet locked within plants are phytochemicals used in herbal medicine (especially in the Arabian Peninsula) that may find application in this regard. In pursuit of unlocking these “hidden treasures,” the methanol extracts of leaves, aerial parts, fruits, and resins of 17 plants used in the Arabian Peninsula were screened for antimicrobial activities.Materials and Methods:The nematicidal, antibacterial, and antifungal activities were determined using appropriate assays. Steinernema feltiae, Staphylococcus carnosus, Escherichia coli, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used as test organisms. Concentrations of the extracts ranging from 0.5 to 20 mg/ml were tested and appropriate statistical tests performed on the data generated.Results:The results show that extracts from Solanum incanum, Chenopodium murale, Commiphora myrrha, Anthemis nobilis, and Achillea biebersteinii were the most active and had very high activities against two or more of the test organisms at low concentrations. Extracts of the leaves of S. incanum and resins of Ferula asafoetida were the most active nematicides, with significant activity at 0.5 mg/ml. Extracts of C. myrrha and C. murale had the most active antibacterial activity with inhibition zones of 12-15 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 2.5 mg/ml for both bacteria. Extracts of the leaves of A. biebersteinii were the most active fungicide, giving an MIC of 1.5 mg/ml.Conclusion:The results validate the use of these plants in ethnopharmacology, and open new vistas of opportunities for the development of cheap but effective agents that may be useful against infectious diseases.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaves extract of date palm grown in Algeria

In this study, we have determined the phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts from three varieties of leaves tree. According to the results the leaves extracts have very important values for polyphenols (215.24 to 156.46 mg GAE / g DW) and high antioxidant activity (324. 45 to 206.21 mg GAE / g DW), DPPH (IC 50 = 2.98 to 4.83 μg / ml) and β-bleaching test (IC 50 = 133. 93 to 194. 12 μg / ml); also the three extracts reveal a considerable antimicrobial potency and antifungal considerable activity , the diameter of inhibition is 14.4 ± 0.6 mm for Hamraya, 19.8 ± 0.5 mm for Ghars and 17.4 ± 0.8 mm for Deglet Nour (concentration 50 mg / ml) from Staphylococcus aureus ATCC.

In vitro antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract from marine alga Enteromorpha intestinalis

ObjectiveTo extract the bioactive compound from Enteromorpha intestinalis (E. intestinalis) and determine its in vitro antimicrobial activity. MethodsE. intestinalis was extracted by methanol and subjected to antimicrobial screening. The antimicrobial activity was studied by using disc diffusion and broth dilution method. The effect of the extract on the growth profile of the bacterial was also examined via time-kill assay. Microscopy observations using SEM was done to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). ResultsThe results showed methanolic extract of E. intestinalis exhibited a favourable antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria with produced inhibition zone ranging from 8.0 to 19.0 mm. However, all the tested fungi and yeast were resistant to the extract treatment. Time kill assay suggested that methanolic extract of E. intestinalis had completely inhibited MRSA growth and also exhibited prolonged antibacterial activity. The main abnormalities noted from the microscopic observations were the structural deterioration in the normal morphology and complete collapsed of the bacteria cells after 36 h of treatment. ConclusionsThe significant antibacterial activity shown by crude extract suggested its potential against MRSA infection. The extract may have potential to develop as antibacterial agent in pharmaceutical use.

Antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Carissa opaca roots and its fractions and compounds isolated from the most active ethyl acetate fraction

ObjectiveTo study the antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanolic extract of roots of Carissa opaca and its fractions in hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water, and the isolated compounds. MethodsThe zones of inhibition of the samples against test microorganisms were determined by agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the samples were determined by agar well dilution method. Test microorganisms included four standard bacteria [Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 (B. subtilis), Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 (P. aeruginosa), and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538], two standard fungi [Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (C. albicans)] and Aspergillus niger, and six clinical isolates (B. subtilis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Enterobacter cloacae). The most active fraction was investigated to isolate compounds. The chemical compounds isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer. ResultsE. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans were the most susceptible. Less polar fractions exhibited stronger efficacy than polar ones, and ethyl acetate fraction proved to be the most potent. Zones of inhibition of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions, and amoxil against C. albicans were 19.96, 22.01, 23.10 and 19.20 mm, respectively. Ethyl acetate faction was the most toxic to all the test microorganisms, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 8.0, 7.8 and 7.78 μg/mL against P. aeruginosa, C. albicans and B. subtilis, respectively. Isolated compounds, limonene, 2'-hydroxyacetophenone, vanillin, naphthalenone, 2,3,3-trimethyl-2-(3-methylbuta-1,3-dienyl)-6-methylenecyclohexanone, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester, β-sitosterol, vitamin E, rutin, quercetin, lupeol, epigallocatechin, showed considerable antimicrobial activities against test microorganisms. ConclusionsThe roots of Carissa opaca contain compounds with significant antimicrobial potential.

Bioactivities of Murraya koenigii (Linn.) and Adina cordifolia (Roxb.)

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts and different organic soluble partitionates of leaves of Murraya koenigii and bark of Adina cordifolia. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the chloroform soluble fraction of methanol extracts of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia revealed the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 6.9 ± 0.78 ?g/ml and 6.83 ± 0.29 ?g/ml, while the methanolic crude extract of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia displayed the highest cytotoxic potential having LC50 values of 1.94 ± 0.36 ?g/ml and 0.88 ± 0.64 ?g/ml, respectively as compared to standard vincristine sulphate (LC50 value of 0.45 ?g/ml). During assay for thrombolytic activity, the crude extracts of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia showed 8.6 ± 0.48 % and 9.25 ± 0.84% clot lysis, respectively. In the membrane stabilizing assay, the methanol extract of M. koenigii inhibited 62.80 ± 0.81 % and 21.23 ± 0.84 % hypotonic solution- and heat-induced haemolysis of RBCs as compared to 72.2 % and 42.2 % inhibition by acetyl salicylic acid (0.10 mg/ml), respectively. On the other hand, the methanol extract of A. cordifolia demonstrated 42.04 ± 0.57 % and 21.57 ± 0.22 % inhibition of hypotonic solution- and heat-induced hemolysis, respectively. The extractives of A. cordifolia exhibited antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 8.0 to 26.0 mm against the test microorganisms with the highest zone of inhibition (26.0 mm) against Salmonella Typhi. Although the methanol extract of leaf of M. koenigii as well as its pet ether and aqueous soluble fractions demonstrated no antimicrobial activity, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTC) revealed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (16.0 mm).Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 18(1): 25-29, 2015

Antibacterial activity of native California medicinal plant extracts isolated from Rhamnus californica and Umbellularia californica.

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global public health. Medicinal plants have long been used as remedies for infectious diseases by native cultures around the world and have the potential for providing effective treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections. Rhamnus californica (Rhamnaceae) and Umbellularia californica (Lauraceae) are two indigenous California plant species historically used by Native Americans to treat skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. This study aimed to assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of leaves and bark of R. and U. californica against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.MethodsMethanolic extracts of leaves and bark of R. and U. californica were prepared by soxhlet extraction and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using disc diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. Chemical profiling of the extracts was performed using standard methods.ResultsAll extracts inhibited the growth of MRSA and other Gram-positive bacteria with MICs of 3.3-6.0 mg/ml. Gram-negative organisms were unaffected by these extracts. U. californica extracts (leaves and bark) had the lowest MIC values. Chemical profiling detected the presence of quinones, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardenolides, tannins and saponins in these extracts. Our study is the first to report the antimicrobial properties of R. and U. californica and illustrates their promising anti-MRSA potential.ConclusionsOur results give scientific credence to the traditional medicinal uses of these plants by the indigenous peoples of California. Further investigation of the secondary metabolites responsible for the antimicrobial activity of these extracts against MRSA is warranted.

Antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of indigenous traditional Indian folk Medicinal Plant, Gnaphalium polycaulon

Background and Aim: Gnaphalium polycaulon (L.) Pers. (Asteraceae) plant, locally known as Nerabu chedi, collected from Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu was subjected to antimicrobial screening and minimum inhibitory concentration of methanolic extracts of leaf, stem, and flower. Methodology: The selected plant used in traditional Indian medicine was examined for antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration against human pathogenic bacteria and fungus using the agar well diffusion method. The antilog of the corresponding value of concentration was taken as the minimum inhibitory concentration value. Statistical Analysis: All the values of the results of the assay were expressed as means of triplicates, mean ± standard deviation. Results: The antimicrobial activity of methanolic leaf extracts of G. polycaulon showed a high level of antimicrobial activity against the studied bacterial and fungal pathogens. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, the medicinal value of this plant could be attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites in the traditional herbal medicines. Therefore, this antimicrobial activity shows a source for traditional use of the plant as a local health remedy to the indigenous communities of Tamil Nadu. Further studies on knowledge of the medicinal plant used medicinally by indigenous people could lead to further research and new drug discovery for the treatment of different diseases. Key words: Antimicrobial activity, folk medicine, fungus, Gnaphalium, Gram‑negative bacteria, Gram‑positive bacteria, minimum inhibitory concentration

Antimicrobial Activity of Crude Methanol Extract of Fecal Droppings of Common House Lizard/Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)

Aims: This study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of fecal droppings of common house lizard/gecko ( Hemidactylus frenatus ). Methodology: The antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract of fecal droppings of common house lizard/gecko was evaluated against the test organisms using the agar well diffusion method. Strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigates were used in this study . Result: At the concentrations analyzed (20 - 1.25 mg/mL), the extract recorded only antibacterial and no antifungal activity against the test isolates. Antibacterial activity was observed against all test bacteria except S. typhi . At 20 mg/mL inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) of 4, 0, 3 and 5mm were r ecorded against S. aureus, S. typhi , B. subtilis and E. coli respectively. At 5 mg/mL, antibacterial

Antimicrobial Activity of Methanolic Extract and Ether Extract of Ageratum conyzoides

Ageratum conyzoides, a weed prevalent in India, is known for its several therapeutic uses to control infections. In the present study we compared the antimicrobial potential of its ether extract and methanolic extract with ciprofloxacin on 294 strains of Gram positive bacteria (GPBs), 575 strains of Gram negative bacteria (GNBs), 15 yeast and 5 mould strains of clinical and nonclinical origin belonging to 49 genera and more than 155 species using disc diffusion assay. The microbial strains in the study were isolated from samples of abiotic (41) and biotic (101) environment, foods (81), clinically sick (441), dead (108) and healthy (75) animals and human beings, and 42 were reference strains. The study revealed that there was no appreciable difference in antimicrobial activity of ether extract (ACEE) or methanolic extract (ACME) of A. conyzoides. A total of 214 (24.1%) strains were sensitive to ACME while of the 697 strains tested for ciprofloxacin 551 (79.1%) were sensitive. Sensitivity to ACME among 294 GPBs (44.9%) was significantly (p<0.0001) higher than among 575 strains of GNBs (12.4%). There was no significant difference among GPBs and GNBs for ciprofloxacin (one of the most commonly used antibiotics in India) sensitivity, but oxidase negative GNBs (385) as well as GPBs (238) were about two times more commonly sensitive to ciprofloxacin than 190 oxidase positive GNBs (p = 0.001) and 56 oxidase positive GPBs (p, 0.03), respectively. For ACME oxidase positive strains had 2.4 times more odds (p < 0.0001) in their favour of being sensitive to ACME (53.4%) than oxidase negative strains (18.6%). The most sensitive strains to ACME belonged to oxidase positive GPBs (62.5%) followed by oxidase negative GPBs (40.8%), oxidase positive GNBs (27.4%) and oxidase negative GNBs (4.9%). All Aeromonas, Alcaligenes, Klebsiella, and Proteus species strains were resistant to ACME irrespective of source of isolation or association with illness. In contrast, majority of the strains of Burkholderia (76.9%), Bacillus (66.7%) and Brucella (53.8%) species were sensitive to ACME. The study revealed that A. conyzoides might be containing useful antimicrobial component(s) more active against oxidase positive potentially pathogenic strains often associated with systemic and deadly infections in animals as well as in humans.

Antiviral and Antimicrobial Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts

Antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of Chamaecyparis obtuse (CO), Chrysanthemum boreale (CB) and Cryptomeria japonica (CJ) against four bacteria (Staphyloscoccus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Yesinia enterocolitica) was evaluated by a disk diffusion method. Anti-human rhinovirus (HRV) 3 activity and cytotoxicity of them were evaluated by a cytopathic effect reduction method. The methanolic extracts of CB showed antimicrobial activity against tested four microorganisms with diameter of inhibition zones from 0.5 to 2.0 mm. The other extracts showed weak antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and didn’t exhibit antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Yesinia enterocolitica. The antiviral assays demonstrated that methanolic extracts of CO and CJ possessed strong antiviral activity against HRV3 with 77.8% and 93.7%, respectively, at a concentration of 100 μg/mL with no cytotoxicity. However, methanolic extracts of CB did not show anti-HRV3 activity. Therefore, the antimicrobial of CB and antiviral activity of CO and CJ will be further investigate in preventing bacteria pathogens or HRV3-mediated injuries in pathological situations.

Screening of antimicrobial, antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds of some edible mushrooms cultivated in Bangladesh.

BackgroundFor a long time mushrooms have been playing an important role in several aspects of the human activity. Recently edible mushrooms are used extensively in cooking and make part of new food in Bangladesh for their beneficial properties. The aim of this study is to screen some values of mushrooms used in Bangladesh.MethodsMethanolic extracts of 3 edible mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes, Hypsizigus tessulatus) isolated from Chittagong, Bangladesh were used in this study. Phenolic compounds in the mushroom methanolic extracts were estimated by a colorimetric assay. The antioxidant activity was determined by radical 1, 1-diphenyl;-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Eight microbial isolates were used for antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of mushrooms by the agar well diffusion method with slight modification.ResultsDetermination of antimicrobial activity indicated considerable activity against all bacteria and fungi reveling zone of inhibition ranged from 7 ± 0.2 to 20 ± 0.1 mm. Minimum inhibitory concentration values of the extracts showed that they are also active even in least concentrations ranged from 1 mg/ml to 9 mg/ml. Lentinula edodes showed the best antimicrobial activity than others. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was quite resistant and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was more sensitive than others microbial isolates. Antioxidant efficiency by inhibitory concentration on 1,1-Diphenly-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was found significant when compared to standard antioxidant like ascorbic Acid . The concentration (IC50) ranged from 100 ± 1.20 to 110 ± 1.24 μg/ml. Total phenols are the major bioactive component found in extracts of isolates expressed as mg of GAE per gram of fruit body, which ranged from 3.20 ± 0.05 to 10.66 ± 0.52 mg/ml. Average concentration of flavonoid ranged from 2.50 ± 0.008 mg/ml to 4.76 ± 0.11 mg/ml; followed by very small concentration of ascorbic acid (range, 0.06 ± 0.00 mg/ml to 0.21 ± 0.01 mg/ml) in all the isolates. All the isolates showed high phenol and flavonoid content (except Pleurotus ostreatus), but ascorbic acid content was found in traces.ConclusionThis study has revealed that selected edible mushrooms have not only nutritional values but also some therapeutic values. Proper and more investigations can lead us to use these as strong medicine in future.

Antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of indigenous traditional Indian folk Medicinal Plant, Gnaphalium polycaulon

Antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of indigenous traditional Indian folk Medicinal Plant, Gnaphalium polycaulon

Antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts of four Basidiomycetes fungi

Antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts of four Basidiomycetes fungi

빌레나무 추출물의 항산화, α-글루코시다아제 억제 및 항미생물 활성

Maesa japonica (Thunb.) is an evergreen shrub belonged to the Myrsinaceae family, which was discovered in2006 in South Korea. And, its biological functions have not been well studied. In this study, we determined the antioxidantactivities, α-glucosidase inhibitory effects and antimicrobial activities of methanol extract and the solvent fractions of M. japonica leaves and twigs. The highest antioxidant activity obtained by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavengingassay and reducing power assay was found in the ethylacetate fraction of twigs methanol extract, which contained thehighest level of total phenolic compounds compared to the other fractions. In addition, ethylacetate fraction of twigs extractexhibited higher inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.8 ㎍/㎖) compared to the IC₅₀ of the buthanol fraction(IC₅₀ = 16 ㎍/㎖) of leaves extract. It showed antimicrobial activities against Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus subtilis subsp. Spizizenii. Although the data is too limited, the current study is the first report on biological functions of M. japonica.

Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activities of Methanolic Extract of Paullinia pinnata Leaves on Some Selected Bacterial Pathogens

The in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities of the methanolic leaves extract of Paullinia pinnata were evaluated. The phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardenolides, anthraquinones and tannins. The killing kinetic showed that the plant extract eliminated Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4 hr at 800 mg.mL−1) and Staphylococcus aureus (8 hr at 400 mg.mL−1). Groups A-C were infected and treated with 800, 400, and 200 mg.mL−1 of the plant extract with no observable tissue damage. Group D was infected but not treated and histopathological analysis of the organs showed some tissue damages. Paullinia pinnata could be a good alternative in the treatment of infections caused by these organisms.

In-vitro assessment of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts and essential oil of Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis.

BackgroundOwing to the complexity of the antioxidant materials and their mechanism of actions, it is obvious that no single testing method is capable of providing a comprehensive picture of the antioxidant profile. The essential oil of the Thymus specie may still possess other important activities in traditional medicine, it can be used in the treatment of fever and cough. This essential oil may also have an anticancer activity.MethodsThe essential oils aerial parts hydrodistilled from Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis, were characterised by GC/MS analysis and the methanolic extracts were chemically characterized by HPLC method. The essence of thyme was evaluated for its antioxidant and antibacterial activity.ResultThe Terpinen-4-ol are the principal class of metabolites (33.34%) among which 1.8-cineole (19.96%) and camphor (19.20%) predominate. In this study, quantitative values of antioxidant activity of crude methanolic extracts of Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis were investigated. The essential oils was screened for their antibacterial activity against six common pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteridis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes) by well diffusion method and agar dilution method (MIC). All the essences were found to inhibit the growth of both gram (+) and gram (−) bacteria organisms tested. These activities were correlated with the presence of phenolic compounds in active fractions. HPLC confirmed presence of phenolic compounds in methanol extracts.ConclusionMethanol extracts and essential oils from aerial parts of Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis, were examined for their potential as antioxidants. The technique for measuring antioxidant activity, which was developed using DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene bleaching, produced results as found in established literatures. The present results indicate clearly that methanol extracts and essential oils from Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis possess antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical inhibitors or scavengers, acting possibly as primary antioxidants, also their essential oil have an antibacterial effect.

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., Alnus incana (L.) Moench and Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC. extracts

The objective of this study was to determine total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts from the leaves and barks of three Alnus species. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of extracts were determined spectrophotometrically using Folin–Ciocalteau and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. In addition, antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method. The antimicrobial activity was performed by disc diffusion assay against six reference bacterial strains including Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and two fungal strains. Extract of Alnus viridis bark contained the highest amounts of total phenolics (780 mg CAT/g), while extract of A. viridis leaves had the highest amount of flavonoids (30.01 mg RUT/g). All extracts showed antioxidant activity higher than thymol, which was used as a positive probe. The largest diameters of inhibition zone (25 mm) were recorded with Bacillus subtilis 168 M and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538.