Chemical Composition Of Extracts Research Articles

In vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Artemisia nilagirica Extracts

Medicinal plants serve as unlimited source for phytoconstituents that possess potent antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. Artemisia nilagirica L. is a potent medicinal plant widely found in India and has been used to treat human diseases for centuries. The present investigation was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and antiproliferative abilities of different crude extracts of A. nilagirica. A detailed study was performed on the antioxidant activity and antiproliferative activity of the methanol extract of A. nilagirica by in vitro chemical analysis. The chemical composition of extracts, studied in terms of phenolics, total flavonoids, triterpenoids, tannins and alkaloids were also determined. Results suggested that the amounts of different phytoconstituents in extracts vary based on polarity of solvents. The extracts possessed different antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities in different assays. Among the extracts, ethyl acetate and alcohol extracts showed the most potent radical-scavenging activities. Ethyl acetate and alcohol extracts showed cytotoxicity towards eight different human cancer cell lines in vitro with IC50 values ranging between 30.43±0.86 and 982.46±14.40 μg/ml and they were less toxic to normal cell lines. The findings of this study provide evidence that A. nilagirica extracts can be used potentially as ready accessible and valuable bioactive source for isolation of antioxidant and anticancer agents.

Effects of extraction conditions over the phlorotannin content and antioxidant activity of extract from brown algae Sargassum serratum (Nguyen Huu Dai 2004)

Introduction: This study focused on the discussion of effect of various extraction conditions for phlorotannin content and antioxidant activities extracted from brown algae Sargassum serratum. The algae was grown in the tropical coastal areas of Vietnam. Methods: The various extraction conditions include the following parameters: temperature (30-80 0 C), maceration time (1/2–2,5 hours; 8-48 hrs), the ratio of solvent to material (10:1–70:1 (v/w)), pH (2–8), various kind of solvents (ethanol, acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-hexan) and solvent concentrations. Phlorotannin content, antioxidant activities, and some phytochemical compositions of Sargassum serratum were evaluated. Results: The highest phlorotannin content and antioxidant activities was expressed when extracting in the following conditions: 100% ethanol solvent at 50 0 C in 32 hours with the ratio of solvent to material of 40/1 (v/w), pH 7 and one-step extraction. The extract contained flavonoid, terpenoid, alkaloid, fatty and oil. DPPH free radical scavenging of the extract was 87.53%. Conclusion: Phlorotannin content and antioxidant activities extracted from Sargassum serratum was depended on the extracting conditions. The condition of extraction for antioxidant phlorotannin and the chemical composition of extract was determined. Brown algae Sargassum serratum has high antioxidant phlorotannin content. A total of 6 compounds were identified from the extract of Sargassum serratum.

Comparison of supercritical CO2, liquid CO2, and solvent extraction of chemicals from a commercial slow pyrolysis liquid of beech wood

Innovative extraction methods with supercritical CO2 and liquid CO2 have been employed to obtain value-added chemicals from a slow pyrolysis liquid. Sequential solvent extraction with hexane and acetone was carried out for comparison. Pyrolysis liquid was first adsorbed on silica (SiO2) with weight ratios SiO2:oil of 100:40 and 100:80. Pyrolysis liquid and extracts were mainly characterized by GC–MS/FID, elemental analysis, and water content. Results show that scCO2 extraction is mainly controlled by dissolution at the first 3 h during a 6-h extraction period and by combination of dissolution and diffusion at later extraction periods. Around 60–65% of the CO2 and hexane extracts could be identified by GC compared to 49% of the starting pyrolysis liquid. GC data confirmed that, CO2 extraction effectively enriched both non-aromatics and aromatic compounds. Hexane extracts contained lower contents of organic acids. Hexane enabled a complete extraction of aromatics. Chemical composition of extracts from scCO2 and liquid CO2 are very similar. Extraction with scCO2 and liquid CO2 proves to be an effective and innovative pre-treatment process for the production of chemicals from pyrolysis liquid.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Thymus praecox supercritical extracts

The chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Thymus praecox extracts obtained by fractional supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with carbon dioxide were investigated. Properties of supercritical extracts and extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction were compared. The chemical composition of extracts was determined using GC–FID and GC–MS analytical methods. The antimicrobial activity of extracts was evaluated against 16 pathogenic microorganisms using microdilution method. Antioxidant potential of extracts to neutralize DPPH radicals was also investigated. Investigated supercritical extracts showed better antimicrobial activity than commercial antibiotics (streptomycin and ampicillin) and commercial fungicides (bifonazol and ketoconazole) against all tested strains. For bacteria MIC and MBC were 38–200μg/ml and 75–300μg/ml, respectively, while for fungi MIC and MFC were 17–150μg/ml and 35–300μg/ml, respectively.

Antiproliferative activity, antioxidant capacity and chemical composition of extracts from the leaves and stem of Chresta sphaerocephala

In this study, antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of crude extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) from leaves and stem of Chresta sphaerocephala DC., Asteraceae, were investigated. Antiproliferative activity was tested in vitro against ten human cancer cells and against VERO (no cancer cell). Antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH and ORAC-FL assays and the total phenolic content was estimated by Folin–Ciocalteu method. Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts (leaves and stem) exhibited antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines with total growth inhibition (TGI) between 50.40 and 250μg/ml. For VERO cell, TGI values were >250μg/ml for all extracts, except to hexane extract of the stem (TGI 80.92μg/ml). In an initial evaluation, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts (leaves and stem) have shown levels of phenolic compounds between 6.94 and 30.96mg GAE/kg in Folin–Ciocalteu assay, DPPH free-radical scavenging activity with SC50 in the range of 75.22 and 400μg/ml and antioxidant capacity between 290.08 and 1088μmol TE/g of extract in ORAC-FL assay. HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS analysis allowed the identification of flavonoids in the methanol extract from the leaves of C. sphaerocephala. Three steroids and nine triterpenoids were identified in the bioactive hexane extracts using HRGC.

Phytotoxic interference of volatile organic compounds and water extracts of Tinospora tuberculata Beumee on growth of weeds in rice fields

Tinospora tuberculata Beumee is an aromatic shrub with pharmacological properties and belongs to the Menispermaceae family. We assessed T. tuberculata for its ability to suppress growth of weeds in rice fields. In seedling bioassays, the rate of seed germination and the radicle and hypocotyl lengths of barnyardgrass, rice and weedy rice seedlings were reduced as the concentration of aqueous water extracts and volatile organic compounds increased compared to the control. In a glasshouse experiment, T. tuberculata leaf powder also exhibited effective reduction in the emergence and growth of weeds in rice fields. Applications at rates of 4tha−1 completely suppressed emergence of barnyardgrass, sprangletop and smallflower umbrella. The chemical compositions of extracts and volatiles were analyzed by GC–MS and HS-SPME-GC–MS. The results showed that 7 of 43 components in the leaf aqueous extract, as compared to 5 of 15 compounds in the stem aqueous extract, are known to be toxic compounds. Moreover, eight main volatile organic compounds were identified, which accounted for 97 and 95% of the whole fresh and dry leaf volatiles, respectively. We observed qualitative and quantitative differences in the compounds present in the dry and fresh leaf. Confocal laser scanning microscope images showed that the volatile emissions and aqueous extracts also inhibited the main root diameter, and the number and elongation of root hairs of tested weeds in rice fields. These results suggest that T. tuberculata contains a significant source of plant growth inhibitors. Hence, it can be used as a mulch to suppress weeds in rice fields and for developing new herbicide based on phytotoxic compounds release by this plant.

Distribution and Taxonomic Significance of Secondary Metabolites Occurring in the Methanol Extracts of the Stonecrops (Sedum L., Crassulaceae) from the Central Balkan Peninsula

The present study is engaged in the chemical composition of methanol extracts of Sedum taxa from the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, and representatives from other genera of Crassulaceae (Crassula, Echeveria and Kalanchoe) considered as out-groups. The chemical composition of extracts was determined by HPLC analysis, according to retention time of standards and characteristic absorption spectra of components. Identified components were considered as original variables with possible chemotaxonomic significance. Relationships of examined plant samples were investigated by agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis (AHC). The obtained results showed how the distribution of methanol extract components (mostly phenolics) affected grouping of the examined samples. The obtained clustering showed satisfactory grouping of the examined samples, among which some representatives of the Sedum series, Rupestria and Magellensia, are the most remote. The out-group samples were not clearly singled out with regard to Sedum samples as expected; this especially applies to samples of Crassula ovata and Echeveria lilacina, while Kalanchoe daigremontiana was more separated from most of the Sedum samples.

Chemical composition of extracts from Chaetomorpha linum (Miller) Kütz. A potential use in the cosmetic Industry

The chemical composition of extracts from the green alga Chaetomorpha linum (Miller) Kutz., growing wild in Corsican pond, were investigated by GC-MS (derivatisation) and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Eighteen compounds have been identified from both pentane and ethyl acetate extract. Fatty acids, mainly saturated (SFA) are the main compounds from the pentane extract, whereas components of the sterols family are major compounds from the ethyl acetate extract. Besides usual fatty acids founds in green alga extract, we report herein the identification of unusual compounds. Indeed 12 compounds (3, 7-18) were identified for the first time in a Chaetomorpha species. Among them three diterpenes bearing the abietane skeleton (abietic acid 12, dehydro-abietic acid 13 and methyl dehydro-abietate 14) were identified for the first time from a marine source. This chemical composition could be a chemotaxonomic characteristic from the linum species found in the Corsican area.

Effect of Albino ophiostoma strains on Eucalyptus nitens extractives

Wood extractives promote pitch formation during pulp and paper manufacturing. To date, this problem has been controlled by extended storage of the chips and/or chemical additives. Biotreatment of the wood prior to pulping provides an alternative that not only decreases the negative impact of the extractives but may also improve the kraft pulping efficiency. This initiative seeks to verify the quantity and chemical composition of Eucalyptus nitens wood extractives following biotreatment with three albino fungi species (Ophiostoma floccosum, Ophiostoma piceae and Ophiostoma piliferum). Eucalyptus nitens wood chips were sprayed with spore suspensions of Ophiostoma piliferum, Ophiostoma piceae and Ophiostoma floccosum albino strains (1 × 108 spore concentration). After 7 and 21 days of fungal treatment, the extractive content was determined via Soxhlet extraction with an 80:20% n-hexane:ethyl acetate solvent mixture. The Ophiostoma floccosum F1A94, Ophiostoma piliferum F2D8 and Ophiostoma piceae F2A68 strains proved to be most capable of bioreduction with reductions of 35,1%, 33,2% and 29,3%, respectively. The chemical composition of the extract was analyzed via gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, which demonstrated that most of the tested strains could reduce the s- sitosterol content.

Control of fungal pathogens of Citrus sinensis L by essential oil and hydrosol extract of Thymus capitatus L.

Essential oil, hydrosol extract and hydrosol of Thymus capitatus L. from Algeria were tested for antifungal activity against four phytopathogenic fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryza, Penicillium italicum and Fusarium solani) causing the deterioration of Citrus sinensis fruits. Essential oil and hydrosol extract showed strong in vitro antifungal activity based on the inhibition zone and minimal inhibitory concentration values against the pathogens. Citrus sinensis fruits infected by Penicillium italicum were treated in vivo with essential oil, hydrosol extract and hydrosol. 0.2 μg/mL of Thymus hydrosol was needed for the absence of orange infection and causing 100 % mycelial growth inhibition. This activity can be correlated with chemical composition of extracts which are rich in carvacrol (more than 69 %). Therefore, the preventive and curative effects of T. capitatus essential oil and hydrosol could be exploited as an ideal alternative to synthetic fungicides for using in the treatment of many fungal phytopathogens causing severe destruction to oranges.

CHARACTERIZATION AND TOXICITY TEST OF PUFFER FISH FROM PAMEUNGPEUK WATERS, WEST JAVA

A puffer fish contains a secondary metabolite toxic called tetrodotoxin (TTX), which can be used as an anesthetic and medication to relieve chronic pain for cancer patients. The purposes of this study were to determine the LC50 value and chemical composition of extracts from various tissues of puffer fishes as a first step to determine the further isolation of tetrodotoxin. In this study various tissues from meat, liver, skin, heart, and ovary of Arothron hispidus and Diodon hystrix species were extracted, characterized, and tested levels of toxicity using Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) methods. Between the two puffer fishes studied, the highest toxicity was found in Arothron hispidus ovary with LC50 value of 29.65 ppm. Chemical constituents of the ovary were alkaloids, carbohydrates, and amino acids. Toxic compounds found in the extracts of puffer fish ovaries were tetrodotoxin which is a compound of the alkaloid class of secondary metabolites. Keywords: Puffer fish, Arothron hispidus, Diodon hystrix, toxicity, Brine Shrimp Lethality Test

CHARACTERIZATION AND TOXICITY TEST OF PUFFER FISH FROM PAMEUNGPEUK WATERS, WEST JAVA

<p>A puffer fish contains a secondary metabolite toxic called tetrodotoxin (TTX), which can be used as an anesthetic and medication to relieve chronic pain for cancer patients. The purposes of this study were to determine the LC50 value and chemical composition of extracts from various tissues of puffer fishes as a first step to determine the further isolation of tetrodotoxin. In this study various tissues from meat, liver, skin, heart, and ovary of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Arothron</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">hispidus</span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Diodon</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">hystrix</span> species were extracted, characterized, and tested levels of toxicity using Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) methods. Between the two puffer fishes studied, the highest toxicity was found in <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Arothron</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">hispidus</span> ovary with LC<sub>50</sub> value of 29.65 ppm. Chemical constituents of the ovary were alkaloids, carbohydrates, and amino acids. Toxic compounds found in the extracts of puffer fish ovaries were tetrodotoxin which is a compound of the alkaloid class of secondary metabolites.</p> <p>Keywords: Puffer fish, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Arothron</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">hispidu</span>s, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Diodon</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">hystrix</span>, toxicity, Brine Shrimp Lethality Test</p>

Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Extracts from the Xylem of Cinnamomum camphora

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. is one of the most important hardwood species indigenous to China that possesses significant antifungal activity. The chemical composition of the extracts from the xylem parts of C. camphora was examined by various solvent extractions. Thirty different components accounting for 79.8% of the total methanol extracts from the xylem of C. camphora were identified by gas chromatography-mass (GC/MS) spectrometry. The major chemical components of methanol extracts are camphor (14.3%), α-terpineol (9.9%), and trans-linalool oxide (furanoid) (7.7%). The chemical composition of chloroform extracts are mainly camphor (17.6%), α-terpineol (11.8%), tetradecanal (5.6%), and (-)-g-cadinene (7.4%). The extracts of C. camphora were tested for resistance to two wood-decaying fungus with hyphal growth. All the C. camphora extracts showed some antifungal activity against the test fungus. The 50% effective concentration of chloroform extracts for Coriolus versicolor (C. versicolor) was 7.8 mg/mL, which was highly toxic, followed by acetone extracts. The methanol extracts with 8 mg/mL concentration had the best suppression effect for Gloeophyllum trabeum (G. trabeum) with an EC50 of 0.3 mg/mL. The results indicated that the major components of the extracts had antifungal activities; thus C. camphora could provide a renewable source for wood preservatives.

Chemical composition and anti-irritant capacity of whole body extracts of Ulomoides dermestoides (coleoptera, tenebrionidae)

Background: In traditional medicine of Central and South America, the tenebrionid beetle Ulomoides dermestoides is used as an a phrodisiac, for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Recently was reported cytotoxic and genotoxic properties of non-polar extract of U. dermestoides; also anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of aqueous whole body extract of beetle was reported, it suggests the existence of components with potential pharmacology use. On the other hand, it is necessary to identify those polar and non-polar extracts of U. dermestoides with anti-irritant properties for the membranes and blood vessels, which will be used in subsequence biological test and clinical assays. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to identify the chemical composition of methanolic and hexanic extracts of U. dermestoides, and to assess their anti-irritant capacity. Methods: The extracts were obtained from adult beetles of U. dermestoides. The chemical composition of the extracts was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the anti-irritant effect of each extract was evaluated by means of a modified assay of irritation of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of fertilized chicken eggs (HET-CAM); the
 results were expressed as irritation index (IR). Results: Six common compounds were identified in both extracts: limonene, myristic, palmitic, estearic, oleic, and linoleic fatty acids. But in the alone methanolic extract were found: 1-pentadecanol, alpha-pinene, beta-phellandrene and alpha-terpinene, whereas in the
 hexanic extract were found: 2-methyl-p-benzoquinone, 2,4-dihidroxy-1-ethylbenzene, 2,5-dimethylquinone, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and alcohols. The methanolic extract of U. dermestoides showed potential anti-irritant effect in the HET-CAM test (IR = 3.09 ± 0.11), similar to that observed with Nimesulida (IR = 2.05 ± 0.14), a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used as positive control for irritation inhibition reaction. The hexanic extract did not show anti-irritant capacity. Conclusions: The results demonstrated the anti-irritant effect of the methanolic extracts of U. dermestoides that could be attributed to compounds with anti-inflammatory activity as oleic acid and limonene.

Antioxidant/Anti-Inflammatory Activities and Chemical Composition of Extracts from the Mushroom Trametes Versicolor

The mushroom, Trametes versicolor is commonly used as a traditional Chinese medicine and is known to exhibit various biological activities. However, its antioxidant activity has remained unknown. In the present study, various extracts obtained from the Trametes versicolor mushroom were examined for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Among the extracts obtained with Soxhlet extraction, the extract from acetone exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (50.9%), followed by the extracts from methanol (33.9%), n-hexane (29.5%), and chloroform (15.2%) at the level of 500 g/mL. This acetone fraction displayed a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity or lipoxygenase inhibitory activity by 76.4% at 500 µg/mL, 55.6% at 200 µg/mL, and 37.0% at 100 µg/mL. Among a total of 76 compounds identified in this acetone extract, hexadecanoic acid was the largest component (18.11 mg/kg), followed by 5-hydroxy-2-pentanone (17.33 mg/kg), lactic acid (3.25 mg/kg), and acetic acid (3.21 mg/kg). The following possible principles of antioxidant activity were identified: furfural (1.48 mg/kg), -butyrolactone (0.51 mg/kg), furfuryl alcohol (0.49 mg/kg), 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (0.49 mg/kg), and 2,6-dimetoxy-4-vinylphenol (0.33 mg/kg), and benzaldehyde (0.15 mg/kg).

The effect of methylbenzene/ethanol ratios on chemical composition of extractives from Eucalyptus grandis

Chemical components of methylbenzene/ethanol extractives of Eucalyptus grandis were identified by GC/MS and different methylbenzene/ethanol solutions (9/1, 4/1, 2/1, 1/1, 1/2) were used to describe their distinctions. The distributions of micro particles in each extractive were studied simultaneously. The results show that there were significant differences between the various extractives, although the extractives were essentially the same, i.e., alcohols, alkanes, esters and acids. With the increase of ethanol composition in the solutions, the total amount of extractives increased; in solvent with higher amounts of ethanol, some acidic structures or acids, such as glutaric acid, could be seen. An investigation of micro particles indicated that the distribution of particle size of each sample did not change greatly between the solutions. A slight decrease in size was seen with the reduction in the amount of methylbenzene.

Evaluation of the in vitro and in vivo anticancer properties of Moroccan propolis extracts

This investigation aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor potential of a Moroccan propolis extracts. For in vitro assays, three mammalian tumor cell lines were used: BSR (hamster renal adenocarcinoma), Hep-2 (human laryngeal carcinoma) and P815 (murin mastocytoma). The propolis ethanolic extract as well as the ethyl acetate extract, exert an in vitro cytotoxic activity in dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values were ranging from 15 µg/mL to 38 µg/mL. This activity depends not only on the extract's chemical composition (analysed by HPLC/ESI-MS), but also on the target tumor cells. Interestingly, the cytotoxic effect of these extracts on the normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was weak when compared to that induced on tumor cells. On the other hand, oral route treatment of P815 tumor-bearing mice (DBA2/P815) with propolis ethanolic extract (5 mg per mouse every fourth day, five times for group A, and 2.5 mg per mouse every fourth day, five times for group B) significantly reduced the tumor volume (1.2 cm3 for group A and 2.7 cm3 for group B at the 22nd day after tumor graft). These effects are statistically significant as compared to those obtained with the control untreated mice (tumor volume 3.5 cm3 at day 22).

Chemical composition and biological characterization of extracts of male-produced pheromone from Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) (Acari: Ixodidae) by GC/MS-SIM and behavioural responses

The extract from fed Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) males was characterized for chemical composition and behavioural responses. The pheromone was obtained by extraction in hexane, analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-single ion monitoring and subjected to behavioural bioassays in vitro and in vivo. The presence of 10 constituents already identified in tick pheromones was evaluated and qualitative analysis of the extract indicated the presence of benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, nonanoic acid, salicylic acid, 2,6-dichlorophenol, limonene and methyl salicylate and the absence of butyric acid, isobutyric acid and o-nitrophenol. In an olfactometer bioassay, males, females and nymphs were not attracted by the extract (P > 0.05) as the displacement angles (0°–10°) distribution was similar between tests (13.3–38.6%) and controls (8.5–23.7%). Similarly, there was no statistically significant aggregation response of test ticks to extracts in bioassays in vitro. However, significantly greater attachment (P < 0.05) in tests with extracts was registered within a 24-h period than that in the control in males but not in females. A synthetic simulation, constituted according to the proportions obtained in the chemical analysis, yielded comparable results. The behavioural observations made during the study were consistent with the extract's chemical composition. The potential implication of the findings in the management of A. cajennense in the regions where it is endemic is discussed.

Antioxidant activities, total phenolic contents and chemical compositions of extracts from four Cameroonian woods: Padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taubb), tali (Erythrophleum suaveolens), moabi (Baillonella toxisperma), and movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus)

The antioxidant activities, total phenolic contents and chemical compositions of extracts from four Cameroonian woods were investigated. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using the scavenging of 2-2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·) and the oxygen uptake method. The total phenolic content (TPC) was evaluated according to the Folin–Ciocalteu assay in which gallic acid was used as standard. Condensed tannins were evaluated by using the Stiasny method. Chemical compositions of the extracts were evaluated by GC–MS. The results show that toluene/ethanol extracts from tali (Erythrophleum suaveolens) exhibit the highest antioxidant activity with CE50 value of 3.1mg/L followed by movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus) extracts (CE50 value 3.9mg/L), padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taubb) and moabi (Baillonella toxisperma) (CE50 value of 5.5mg/L and 44mg/L respectively). The TPC and condensed tannins of extracts were in the range of 54–992mg eq. gallic acid/g of extract and 8–60%, respectively. Homopterocarpin and pterocarpin were the major compounds found in the extracts of padouk. Catechin, gallic acid, and pyrogallol were the major compounds identified in tali extracts. Movingui extracts principally contain diterpenes. Gallic acid, squalene and triperpenes were the major compounds of moabi extracts.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of a hexane extract of Tunisian caprifig latex from the unripe fruit of Ficus carica

Context: The plant kingdom has become a target in the search for new drugs and biologically active lead compounds. The common Jrani Tunisian caprifig Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) is one of the large number of plant species that are used in folklore medicine yet to be investigated for the treatment of many diseases, including those of infectious nature.Objective: Hexane extract of the Tunisian common Jrani caprifig latex was assayed for antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Chemical composition of the extract was also investigated.Materials and methods: The hexane extract was obtained from Tunisian Jrani caprifig latex by maceration, and then analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The extract was tested in vitro for antibacterial activity by the disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined for all the test cultures.Results: Thirty-six compounds of the extract were identified, 90.56% of the total area of peaks were coumarins. A strong bactericidal effect was demonstrated. The most sensitive bacteria were Staphylococcus saprophyticus clinical isolate, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, with a MIC of 19 µg/mL.Discussion and conclusion: These findings demonstrate an effective in vitro antibacterial activity of the hexane extract of caprifig latex.