Antifungal and Cytotoxicity Activity of Plants Used as Herbal Teas in Tanzania
Journal Title: European Journal of Medicinal Plants - Year 2016, Vol 16, Issue 4
Abstract
Aim: The current study was designed to determine antifungal and cytotoxicity activity of Rhus vulgaris, Sphaeranthus bullatus, Osyris lanceolata, Ocimum gratissimum, Cymbopogon citratus, Acacia nilotica and Tylosema fassoglensis used as herbal teas in Tanzania. Study Design: In vitro antifungal assay and brine shrimp lethality test for cytotoxicity study. Methodology: Broth dilution using 96-well micro dilution method was used in antifungal assay. Extracts were loaded in the wells of the first row, followed by serial dilution and 50 μl of the fungal suspensions (0.5 MacFarland standard turbidity) were added in each well. The first concentration which showed no fungal growth was considered as Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC). On the other hands Brine shrimp lethality test were employed to determine cytotoxicty activity. Ten brine shrimp were added to vials contains different concentration (240, 120, 80, 40, 24 and 8 μg/mL) of the extracts dissolved in DMSO. Each concentration was tested in duplicate to establish the number of surviving brine shrimp. Results: Antifungal activity was demonstrated by all extract with the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) value range from 1.56 mg/mL – 25 mg/mL against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. The later fungus was susceptible to extracts tested compared to the former. Of the all extract tested 18% were non toxic against Artemia salina with lethal concentration (LC50) value above 100 μg/mL. The highest cytotoxicity was exhibited by Acacia nilotica ethyl acetate root extract with LC50 0.57 μg/mL. Conclusion: Results of this study showed that extracts tested demonstrate moderate to weak antifungal activity and strong to weak cytotoxicity effects. Further study is required on these plant extracts to characterize bioactive compounds responsible for observed activities. Moreover, further toxicological studies are required in order to establish these plants as herbal teas which can be used for both refreshment and management of diseases.
Authors and Affiliations
Okumu Ochanga, Musa Chacha
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP349738
- DOI 10.9734/EJMP/2016/29475
- Views 89
- Downloads 0
Pharmacognostic Studies of the Leaf of Senna siamea (lam.) Irwin & Barneby Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Aims: To establish pharmacognostic standard for S. siamea and provide chromatographic fingerprints with a view to assisting in the quality control of medicinal products from the plant. Study Design: Pharmacognostic evalu...
Standardization of Andrographis paniculata, Mitracarpus scaber and Nauclea latifolia Herbal Preparations as per European and Nigerian Drug Regulations
Background: Herbal drug standardization (HDS) is multidisciplinary with botany and chemistry working together to facilitate decisions on production of herbal medicines. The common reasons for HDS are: i) it creates the n...
Ashwagandha and Its Active Ingredient, Withanolide A, Increase Activation of the Phosphatidylinositol 3’ Kinase/Akt Cascade in Hippocampal Neurons
Aims: To determine if whether, in a hippocampal neuron culture model subjected to nutrient deprivation stress (simulating degenerative disease state), Ashwagandha and/or two of its putative active ingredients, withanolid...
Seed Germination Studies in Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz.
The roots of Rauvolfia serpentina are under use in traditional and modern systems of medicine. The wild population of this valued medicinal plant is in dwindling stage in the natural habitats due to over exploitation and...
Phytochemical and Biological Potential of Cassia tora Linn.
Cassia tora Linn. (Caesalpinaceae) is a semi-wild annual herb grown widely in different places of south-east Asia including India, Northern Australia and Americas. This plant species is well known for having potential in...