Chemical constituents and pharmacological profile of Gunnera manicata L. extracts

Gunnera perpensa L. (Gunneraceae) is a native South African plant widely used in traditional medicine as an antibacterial and antifungal. In southern Brazil there is the native species called Gunnera manicata L. that also belongs to the Gunneraceae. Nevertheless, there is no information about chemical and pharmacological properties of South American Gunnera species. Therefore this study aimed at assessing the phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of aqueous and methanol Brazilian G. manicata extracts. The results showed that antimicrobial activity in an agar diffusion assay was effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans . Phenolic compounds were investigated by liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) and all extracts presented gallic acid and only the methanol extract obtained from the leaves exhibited hyperoside. Rutin, quercetin and chlorogenic acid were not found in the samples analysed. Total phenolic content was higher in methanol extract and total flavonoid content was low in all extracts. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical test, and all samples presented good to moderate antioxidant activity. These results encourage complementary studies on the chemical composition of the plant extracts focusing on isolation and structure elucidation of their active compounds.

Gunnera perpensa L. (Gunneraceae) é uma planta nativa do sul da África utilizada na medicina tradicional como antibiótico e antifúngico. Gunnera manicata L. é uma planta nativa do sul do Brasil também da família Gunneraceae e, apesar disso, não há informações sobre suas propriedades químicas e farmacológicas. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil fitoquímico e farmacológico dos extratos aquoso e metanólico de G. manicata. Os resultados do ensaio microbiológico de difusão em ágar demonstraram que os extratos testados foram ativos contra Staphylococcus aureus e Candida albicans. A presença de compostos fenólicos foi investigada pela técnica de Cromatografia Líquida acoplada a espectrômetro de massas em Tandem (CL-EM/EM). Em todas as amostras analisadas verificou-se a presença de ácido gálico e somente o extrato metanólico das folhas apresentou hiperosídeo. Rutina, quercetina e ácido clorogênico não foram encontrados. O conteúdo total de compostos fenólicos foi maior nos extratos metanólicos e o conteúdo de flavonóides totais foi baixo em todos os extratos. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada pelo teste da atividade do radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picril-hidrazil (DPPH) e todas as amostras apresentaram boa a moderada atividade antioxidante. Esses resultados encorajam estudos complementares da composição química dos extratos com foco no isolamento e na elucidação estrutural dos compostos ativos.

Antimicrobial Activity and Photochemical Screening of Tinospora Cordifolia and Euphorbia Hirta.

The present study deals with the antimicrobial activity and phytochemical screening of the two medicinal plants, Tinospora cordifolia and Euphorbia hirta those are commonly available in India. Results of antimicrobial activity revealed that these medicinal plant extracts were very effective against Serratia marcescens, E. coli, Streptococcus thermophilus, Fusarium oxysporium, Aspergillus niger while these extracts showed very less inhibition against Trichoderma reesei. Phytochemical analysis of these plants confirms the presence of various phytochemical like alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, steroidal terpenes in Euphorbia hirta and alkaloids, flavonoids, Saponin, tannins, steroidal terpenes, reducing sugar in Tinospora cordifolia. While other phytochemical like, glycosides, phylobatamins, xanthoproteins, phenolic compounds were found to be absent in these extracts. These plants can be a source of useful drugs but further studies are required to isolate the active component from the crude plant extract for proper drug development.

Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial assay of various seeds extract of cucurbitaceae family.

The present study deals with the antimicrobial activity and phytochemical screening of seeds extract of five plants of Cucurbitaceae family- Momordica charantia (Karella), Cucumis sativa (Cucumber), Praecitrullus fistulosus (Tinda), Cucurbita pepo (Kaddu), Lagenaria siceraria (loki) that are commonly available and readily consumed in India. Results of antimicrobial activity revealed that all the seeds extracts were very effective against Serratia marcescens , E. coli, Streptococcus thermophilous, Fusarium oxysporium, Trichoderma reesei while some extracts showed no inhibition against Aspergillus niger (Cucumis sativa), Candida albicans (Praecitrullus fistulosus, Cucurbita pepo, Lagenaria siceraria). Phytochemical analysis of these plants confirms the presence of various phytochemicals like tannins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoides, carbohydrates, resins, saponins and phytosterols. While other phtochemicals like alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroidal terpenes and phylobatamins were found to be absent in all the extracts. These plants can be a source of useful drugs but further studies are required to isolate the active component from the crude plant extract for proper drug development.

Investigation of antibacterial activities of ethanol extracts of Musa paradisiaca Lam.

In the present work, the roots of Musa Paradisiaca Lam. (Family: Musaceae) were investigated for preliminary phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanol extract of the roots revealed the presence of various classes of compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, reducing sugars and tannins. The ethanol extract of the roots of Musa Paradisiaca Lam. was tested by using agar disc diffusion method for antimicrobial assay. The ethanol extract of Musa Paradisiaca Lam. showed moderate in-vitro antibacterial activity against both gram positive (B. Megaterium, B. Subtilis, S. aureus) and gram negative (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. dysenteriae, S. typhi, Vibrio cholerae and S. flexneri) bacteria with the zones of inhibition ranging from 10.53 ± 0.37 to 12.42 ± 0.85 mm at concentration of 500 μg/disc. Thus the findings revealed the medicinal potential of Musa Paradisiaca Lam. against various infectious diseases to develop a drug.