title: Antibacterial and anticandidal screening of Tunisian Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. from Medenine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resistance to current antibacterial drugs and the rise of opportunistic fungal infections are growing global concerns. Traditional medicine is a potential source of new antibacterials and antifungals. Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) endemic in Southern Tunisia, is used in folk medicine against dermatological, gynaecological and pulmonary infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess in vitro antibacterial and anticandidal activity of aqueous and diluted acetone extracts of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. MIC and MBC/MFC were determined for plant organs at different maturation stages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. was harvested and its identification was verified. Aqueous and diluted acetone extracts (from the plant's roots, stems, leaves and three maturation stages of its fruit and seeds) were screened for activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis)-and various Candida spp. (Candida glabrata, Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida kreusei).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All extracts showed activity against all strains. The highest MICs and MBCs/MFCs were obtained from the fruit aqueous extracts (MIC 0.10mg/ml against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, 0.20mg/ml against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), lowest activity from the root extracts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. shows antibacterial and anticandidal properties. The folk medicinal use as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent is validated.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives, Faculté de Pharmacie, Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Belsem
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marzouk
authors.forename: Zohra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Marzouk
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Décor
authors.forename: Hayet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Edziri
authors.forename: Ehsen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haloui
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fenina
authors.forename: Mahjoub
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aouni
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D029773:Citrullus; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018514:Plant Structures; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts