Indigenous Plant Extracts Research Articles

The effect of simulated gastrointestinal conditions on the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of indigenous South African plant extracts

Few in vitro screening assays for biological activities of plant extracts consider the potential effect of the gastrointestinal system on orally consumed plant extracts. Crude water and methanol extracts of Tarchonanthus camphoratus (wild camphor) and Agathosma betulina (‘buchu’) were prepared and exposed to simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid during dissolution studies to address this aspect. The crude extracts and resulting simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid products were screened for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 33420). The T. camphoratus crude extract exhibited antimicrobial activity which was reduced after exposure to simulated gastric fluid. After exposure to simulated intestinal fluid no antimicrobial activity was detected, which suggests chemical alteration or degradation of the active compounds. For A. betulina, the crude water extract and simulated gastric fluid product exhibited no antimicrobial activity, while the simulated intestinal fluid product exhibited antimicrobial activity. This suggests activation of antimicrobial constituents during exposure to simulated intestinal fluid. The chemical composition profiles of the crude extracts and products were determined by means of liquid chromatography coupled to an ultraviolet detector (LC-UV) and a mass spectrometer (LC-MS) to qualitatively assess the effect of exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions on the chemical composition of the extracts. In many cases, the peak area of compounds decreased after exposure to simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid, while the peak area of other compounds increased. Thus, it can be deduced that the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition was altered after exposure to intestinal conditions during dissolution studies.

Laboratory determination of efficacy of indigenous plant extracts for parasites control

The present study was based on assessments of the antiparasitic activities to determine the efficacies of acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, hexane, and methanol dried leaf, flower, and seed extracts of Achyranthes aspera L., Anisomeles malabarica (L.) R. Br., Gloriosa superba L., Psidium guajava L., Ricinus communis L., and Solanum trilobatum L. tested against the larvae of cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini 1887) (Acari: Ixodidae), sheep internal parasite Paramphistomum cervi (Zeder 1790) (Digenea: Paramphistomatidae) at 2,000 ppm and fourth instar larvae of Anopheles subpictus Grassi and Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (Diptera: Culicidae) at 1,000 ppm. All plant extracts showed moderate effects after 24 h of exposure; however, the highest parasite mortality was found in the leaf ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera, leaf methanol extract of A. malabarica, flower methanol extract of G. superba, and leaf methanol extract of R. communis against the larvae of R. microplus (LC(50) = 265.33, 95.97, 153.73, and 181.49 ppm; LC(90) = 1,130.18, 393.88, 1,794.25, and 1,829.94 ppm); leaf acetone and chloroform of A. malabarica, flower acetone extract of G. superba, and leaf chloroform and methanol of R. communis against the adult of P. cervi (LC(50) = 108.07, 106.69, 157.61, 69.44, and 168.24 ppm; LC(90) = 521.77, 463.94, 747.02, 256.52, and 809.45 ppm); leaf ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera, leaf chloroform extract of A. malabarica, flower methanol of G. superba, and leaf methanol extract of R. communis against the larvae of A. subpictus (LC(50) = 48.83, 135.36, 106.77, and 102.71 ppm; LC(90) = 225.36, 527.24, 471.90, and 483.04 ppm); and leaf ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera, leaf chloroform extract of A. malabarica, flower methanol extract of G. superba, and leaf methanol extract of R. communis against the larvae of C. tritaeniorhynchus (LC(50) = 68.27, 95.98, 59.51, and 93.94 ppm; LC(90) = 306.88, 393.83, 278.99, and 413.27 ppm), respectively. These results suggest that the leaf ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera, leaf acetone and chloroform extract of A. malabarica, flower methanol extract of G. superba, and leaf methanol extract of R. communis have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of the R. microplus, P. cervi, A. subpictus, and C. tritaeniorhynchus. Therefore, this study provides the first report on the larvae and adult parasitic activity of crude solvent extracts, indigenous plants consumed by the natives in southern India.

Laboratory study on larvicidal activity of indigenous plant extracts against Anopheles subpictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus

Anopheles subpictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus have developed resistance to various synthetic insecticides, making its control increasingly difficult. Insecticides of botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative biocontrol techniques in the future. The leaf acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, hexane, and methanol extracts of Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa ex Roxb, Andrographis lineata Wallich ex Nees., Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees., Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels, Eclipta prostrata L., and Tagetes erecta L. were tested against fourth-instar larvae of malaria vector, A. subpictus Grassi and Japanese encephalitis vector, C. tritaeniorhynchus Giles (Diptera: Culicidae). All plant extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects after 24 h of exposure at 1,000 ppm; however, the highest larval mortality was found in leaf ethyl acetate of A. marmelos, E. prostrata, hexane, methanol of A. paniculata and C. hirsutus against the larvae of A. subpictus (LC(50) = 167.00, 78.28, 67.24, 142.83 ppm; LC(90) = 588.31, 360.75, 371.91, and 830.01 ppm) and against the larvae of C. tritaeniorhynchus (LC(50) = 99.03, 119.89, 88.50, 105.19 ppm; LC(90) = 479.23, 564.85, 416.39, and 507.86 ppm), respectively. These results suggest that the leaf hexane extract of A. paniculata and ethyl acetate extract of E. prostrata have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of the A. subpictus and C. tritaeniorhynchus. Therefore, this study provides first report on the mosquito larvicidal activity of plant extracts against vectors from Southern India.

Evaluation of indigenous plant extracts against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)

This study investigates the larvicidal potential of indigenous plant extracts from commonly used medicinal herbs as an environmentally safe measure to control the filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). The early fourth-instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus, reared in the laboratory, were used for larvicidal assay with water, hot water, acetone, chloroform, and methanol leaf, stem-bark, and flower extracts of Acacia arabica Willd. Sans, Cedrus deodara Roxb, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Mangifera indica L., Nerium indicum Mill., Nicotiana tabacum Linn., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, and Solanum nigrum Linn. All plant extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects after 24 h of exposure at 1,000 ppm; however, the highest larval mortality was found in stem-bark hot water, acetone, and methanol extracts of C. deodara (LC50 = 133.85, 141.60, and 95.19 ppm, LC90 = 583.14, 624.19, and 639.99 ppm) and leaf hot water, acetone, methanol, and chloroform extracts of N. tabacum (LC50 = 76.27, 163.81, 83.38, and 105.85 ppm, LC90 = 334.72, 627.38, 709.51, and 524.39 ppm) against the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. This is an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of lymphatic filariasis vector, C. quinquefasciatus.

Aphidicidal activity of some indigenous plant extracts against bean aphid Aphis craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Aphidicidal activity of hot and cold water extracts of some indigenous plants, Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem), Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton (akanda), Polygonum hydropiper L. (biskatali) and Ipomoea sepiaria J. Koenig ex Roxb. (bankalmi), were tested against the bean aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. Hot water extract of P. hydropiper and A. indica was found to be the most effective (87.6–94.5 and 80.47–89.6% mortality respectively, P < 0.01) among all the extracts. Other hot and cold water extracts also appeared to be useful (59.5–87.5% mortality) as pesticides for A. craccivora. The highest yield (3.25 kg per plant) was obtained using hot water extract of P. hydropiper followed by hot water extract of A. indica (3.15 kg per plant). The lowest yield (0.32 kg per plant) was recorded from the control block. All the phytoproduct treatments had significantly (P < 0.01) better yield than the control block.

Use of indigenous plant extracts for the protection of mechanically injured sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] tubers

Protection of mechanically injured Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) tubers from fungal rot with extracts of some indigenous plants namely; Alchornea cordifolia, Annona muricata, Allium sativum. Gacinia cola and Zingiber officinale was investigated. The following fungi; Aspergillus flavus link Ex fr, Aspergillus niger Van Tieghern, Botryodiplodia theobromae (Pat) novel, Fusarium solani Mart Sacc. Desm, Fusarium oxysporum schlecht and Rhizopus stolonifer Ehrenb ex link were isolated from rotted tissues and found to cause rots of sweet potato tubers. The water extracts of these plants suppressed fungal growth in culture and reduced rot development in the tubers when inoculated with the fungi. The highest percentage inhibition of 73.33% was obtained with the use of Z. officinale extract on F. oxysporum while A. sativum extract caused 6.91% inhibition of F. solani. Rot development caused by B. theobromae was reduced by 45.64% with the use of A. cordifolia while Z. officinale gave the highest inhibition of 70.99% on R. stolonifer inoculated tubers. Key words: Plant extracts, rot fungi, rot inhibition, sweet potatoes.

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of selected plant extracts by rapid XTT colorimetry and bacterial enumeration

The aim of this study was to screen and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of indigenous Jordanian plant extracts, dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide, using the rapid XTT assay and viable count methods. XTT rapid assay was used for the initial screening of antimicrobial activity for the plant extracts. Antimicrobial activity of potentially active plant extracts was further assessed using the “viable plate count” method. Four degrees of antimicrobial activity (high, moderate, weak and inactive) against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, were recorded. The plant extracts of Hypericum triquetrifolium, Ballota undulata, Ruta chalepensis, Ononis natrix, Paronychia argentea and Marrubium vulgare had shown promising antimicrobial activity. This study showed that while both XTT and viable count methods are comparable when estimating the overall antimicrobial activity of experimental substances, there is no strong linear correlation between the two methods.

Assessment of phenolic content and free radical-scavenging capacity of some Thai indigenous plants

Abstract Ethanolic extracts from various parts of 26 Thai indigenous plants were examined for phenolic constituents and free radical scavenging capacity, to determine their potential as a source of natural antioxidants. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were evaluated according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure, and a colorimetric method, respectively. The results showed that total phenolic compounds and flavonoid content were higher in seed extracts of berries used in wine production, while the levels in extracts obtained from herbs and vegetables were lower. Chewing plants which have an astringent taste gave a significantly higher total phenolic content and flavonoid content. Antiradical activity determined from 1/EC50 by the DPPH radical-scavenging method was highest in wine production seeds and chewing plants. The correlation coefficient from regression analysis showed a positive relationship between total phenolic and total flavonoid content (r = 0.9). The results suggest that ethanolic extracts of some Thai indigenous plants exhibit a potential for use as natural antioxidants.

Evaluation of some indigenous plant extracts for antiimplantation activity in albino rats

In the present investigation twelve indigenous medicinal plants have been screened for their antiimplantation activity in albino rats. The plant material was subjected for soxhlation successively and separately from non-polar solvents to polar solvents i.e., petroleum ether benzene and ethanol. Out of these three extracts the petroleum ether extract of seeds of Citrus medica, aerial part of Oxalis corniculata and Tinospora cardifolia have showed maximum antiimplantation activity. Ethanol extract of leaves of Cardiospermum helicacabum, roots of Echinops echinatus, leaves of Melia azedarach, seeds of Momordica charantia and bark of Terminalia bellirica have shown maximum antiimplantation activity amongst the three extracts of each plant material screened. Though all the three extracts of seeds of Annona squamosa and leaves of Zizyphus jujube screened for antiimplantation activity, no extract has showed any loss in implantation. The details of the results obtained are discussed.

Suppressive effect of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression by the methanol extract of Actinodaphne lancifolia

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has played a crucial role in various pathophysiological processes including inflammation and carcinogenesis. Therefore, the inhibitors of NO synthesis or iNOS gene expression have been considered as potential anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In our continuous search for iNOS inhibitors from natural products we have evaluated indigenous Korean plant extracts using an assay for inhibition of nitric oxide formation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. As a result, the methanolic stem extract of Actinodaphne lancifolia showed an inhibitory activity of NO production in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 2.5 microg/ml). Additional study demonstrated that the extract of Actinodaphne lancifolia significantly suppressed the iNOS protein and gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that Actinodaphne lancifolia could be a potential candidate for developing an iNOS inhibitor from natural products. Further elucidation of active principles for development of new cancer chemopreventive and/or anti-inflammatory agents could be warranted.

Plants from reunion island: evaluation of their free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities

A total of 274 crude methanolic and dichloromethane extracts of endemic or indigenous plants from Reunion Island (75 species belonging to 35 families, 43 among them being used in the local traditional pharmacopoeia) have been qualitatively screened for their free radical scavenging (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) and antioxidant (β-carotene) activities. In this study, various species with appreciable activity were identified as potentially novel sources of free radical scavenging and antioxidant compounds.

Screening of selected indigenous plants of Lebanon for antimicrobial activity

The objective of this study is to test in vitro the antimicrobial efficacy of 39 water and 39 methanol extracts derived from different parts of 27 indigenous wild plant species that have been commonly used in Lebanese folk medicine. The antimicrobial efficacy was determined using the single disk diffusion method, with 10 and 20 μl load extract volume per disc. Nine test microorganisms were used namely, Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella dysenteria, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. Only one water extract out of 39 derived from whole plant of Alchemilla diademata showed an antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The percentage of test organisms that were susceptible to 10 most efficacious methanol plant extracts (20 μl/disc) were as follows: Achillea damascena whole plant (88.8%), Anthemis scariosa flower (88.8%), Cirsium sp. whole plant (88.8%), Centaurea ainetensis flowers (88.8%), Hieracium sp. whole plant (88.8%), Origanum libanoticum whole plant (99.9%), Ranunculus myosuroudes whole plant (88.8%), Nepata curviflora leaf (88.8%), Nepata curviflora stem, and Verbascum leptostychum flower (99.9%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined on plant extracts that showed high efficacy against the test organisms. The chance to find antimicrobial activities was more apparent in methanol rather than water extracts of the same indigenous plants of Lebanon, with higher antimicrobial activities in 20 μl methanol extract-discs in comparison to that present in the 10 μl discs ( P<0.05).

Efficacy of Certain Indigenous Plant Extracts Against Seed-Borne Infection of Fusarium Moniliforme on Maize (Zea Mays L.) in South Western Nigeria

Aqueous extracts of leaves of Ocimum gratissimum, Acalypha ciliata, Vernonia amyygdalina, Mangifera indica and Azadirachta indica were evaluated for the control Fusarium moniliforme on seeds of maize (Zea mays). The seeds were soaked sterile distilled water in 10, 20, and 30% (W/V) for 12, 24 and 48hr. All the plant extracts had significant inhibitory growth effect on the fungal pathogen. Acalypha ciliata extract was more effective than other plant extracts and compared favorably with benomyl in the control of the pathogen.

Comparative Efficacy of Some Indigenous Plant Extracts against the Pulse Beetle Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

ABSTRACT The efficacy of nine plant species belonging to seven families have been evaluated in the form of aqueous extracts for their insecticidal, anti-ovipositional and ovicidal properties against the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F., infesting cow pea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Small gunny bags were treated with a 10% concentration of each extract. Cowpea seeds (50g) were stored in the treated bags and two pairs of neonate adults of C. maculatus were introduced into plastic containers containing the treated bags. Cowpeas protected with the aqueous extracts of Coleus aromaticus Berth., Morinda tinctoria Buch-Ham., and Cassia siamea Lam. were found to be effective in reducing egg laying, adult emergence and percent reduction in weight loss. Among the ten plant extracts screened, Crateva adansonii DC (Buch-Ham) M. Jacobs., and Abrus precatorius L., were not effective against these beetles during the post harvest storage under laboratory conditions for 60 days.

Indigenous-plant extracts as larvicidal agents against Culex quinquefasciatus Say

Bioassay studies of the laboratory-colonised larvae (LCL) and field-collected larvae (FCL) of Culex quinquefasciatus with five different concentrations of 12 different plant extracts (petroleum ether solvent) showed that the extracts of Argemone mexicana, Jatropha curcus, Pergularia extensa and Withania somnifera had acute toxicity. The benzene extracts of these four plants were tested for their toxic effects on LCL and FCL. Argemone mexicana showed acute toxicity and observations made at 31·25 ppm concentration showed larval and pupal mortality; larval-pupal intermediates; half ecdysed organisms and prolonged larval and pupal duration

A survey of extracts of New Zealand indigenous plants for selected biological activities

Abstract This paper reports results of a survey of New Zealand indigenous plant extracts for selected biological activities. The survey was carried out between March 1988 and April 1992 and involved the collection of 344 plant species and varieties and their subsequent extraction and screening for cytotoxic, antiviral, and antimicrobial activities. The survey shows biological activity to be widespread in the New Zealand flora, especially cytotoxic and antibacterial activities.

Cyclopicidal Activity of Three Indigenous Plant Extracts

The seed oils (petroleum ether extract) of three plants, Azadirachta indica, Annona squamosa and Pongamia pinna ta were tested against the cyclops, Mesocyclops leuckarti sensu lato. Out of the seed oils tested, oil of Pongamia pinnata produced excellent cyclopicidal action followed by Annona squamosa. There was, however, no activity with Azadirachta indica oil. Further examination of chromatographic fractions of P. pinnata oil narrowed down activity to one of four fractions. Les essences de graines de trois plantes Azadirachta indica, Annona squamosa, et Pongamia pinnata ont ete experimentees contre les cyclopes, Mesocyclops leuckarti sensu lato. Parmis les essences testees, l’essence du Pongamia pinnata produisit un excellent effet cyclopidal, suivit de celle de l’Annona squamosa. Par contre il n’a eu aucune activite avec l’essence de l’Azadirachta indica. Un examen supplementaire des fractions chromatographiques de l’essence de P. pinnata reduisit l’activite a l’une des quatre fractions.

Insect growth regulatory activity of some indigenous plant extracts

Insect growth regulating properties of petroleum ether extracts of 10 indigenous plants were tested against Culex pipiens fatigans (Wied) and Musca domestica nebulo (Fabr) by continuous exposure and topical application methods. Out of the 10 plants, Acorus calamus and Azadirachta indica demonstrated insect growth regulatory (IGR) activity against C. p. fatigans and also against M. d. nebulo. There was IGR activity, but this was observed only when these extracts were used in higher concentration.

Laboratory evaluation of some indigenous plant extracts as toxicants against red flour beetle, &lt;i&gt;Tribolium castaneum&lt;/i&gt; Herbst

Experiments were carried out to evaluate the toxicity of six botanicals, Bazna (Zanthoxylum rhetsa), Ghora-neem (Melia sempervirens), Hijal (Barringtonia acutangula), Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Mahogoni (Swietenia mahagoni) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) against red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst. Leaf and seed extracts were prepared by using acetone, methanol and water as solvents. The results showed that extracts of all the six plants had direct toxic effect on red flour beetle. Among them, Neem seed extract showed the highest toxic effect (mortality, 52.50%), whereas Hijal leaf extract possessed the lowest toxic effect (mortality, 22.24%). Among the solvents, acetone extract showed more toxic effect than other extracts. Seed extracts of respective plants were slightly more toxic than leaf extract. The effectiveness of most of the plant extracts increased proportionally with the increase of doses and decreased with time. Keywords: Plant extracts; Toxicity; Red flour beetleDOI: 10.3329/jbau.v7i1.4789 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 7(1): 1-5, 2009