Mbosso Teinkela JE1,2,3,
Assob Nguedia JC4,
Meyer F2,
Vouffo Donfack E5,
Lenta Ndjakou B6,
Ngouela S5,
Tsamo E5,
Adiogo D1,
Guy Blaise Azebaze A3,
Wintjens R2.
Abstract
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.
KEYWORDS:
Bioactivity; cancer; latex; medicinal plants
