Antibacterial, antioxidant and fibroblast growth stimulation of aqueous extracts of Ficus asperifolia Miq. and Gossypium arboreum L., wound-healing plants of Ghana.
OBJECTIVE
Use of in vitro tests to search for relevant activities in bark of Ficus asperifolia Miq. and leaves of Gossypium arboreum L., used in Ghana for wound healing.


METHODS
Aqueous extracts of the relevant parts of the two species were tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus flavus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus SA1199B, RN4220 and XU212. The effects of the plants on fibroblast growth stimulation as well as antioxidant protective effect against hydrogen peroxide induced damage in the same cell line were also studied.


RESULTS
The extracts of Gossypium arboreum and Ficus asperifolia had weak antibacterial action against all bacteria tested. The extracts of the two plants had significant (p<0.001) effects on the growth of human dermal fibroblast at 50 microg/ml and lower. They also significantly protected fibroblast cells against oxidative damage at doses up to 50 microg/ml. Gossypium arboreum leaf extract displayed the higher activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The stimulatory effect on fibroblast growth and protection against peroxide-induced oxidative damage give some support to the traditional use of these two plants as wound-healing agents.
Annan
Kofi
K
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Houghton
Peter J
PJ
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D030681:Ficus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005869:Ghana; D003368:Gossypium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide