Phytochemical investigation and medicinal evaluation of fixed oil of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits (Balantiaceae).
BACKGROUND
Balanites aegyptiaca (Balantiaceae), mainly the fruit, is used by traditional healers and herbalists for treating many diseases in Africa and Asia.


OBJECTIVE
Investigation of fixed oil composition of fruits and evaluation of its biological activity.


METHODS
Oil content was identified using GC and GC/MS. In vitro examination of the oil biological activity (including cytotoxicity, antimutagenicity, antiparasitic, antiviral and antimicrobial activities) was performed.


RESULTS
The oil contained 54.53% unsaturated fatty acids and 1.14% sterols. The oil exhibited anticancer activity against lung, liver and brain human carcinoma cell lines. It also had antimutagenic activity against Fasciola gigantica induced mutagenicity besides anthelmintic activity against hepatic worms (Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola gigantica). Preliminary screening showed that the oil had antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus. It also had antimicrobial activity against selected strains of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and Candida.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed remarkable biological activity of Balanites aegyptiaca fixed oil and proved its importance as natural bioactive source.
Al Ashaal
Hanan A
HA
Research of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Industries Division, National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt. hanan_alashaal@yahoo.com
Farghaly
Ayman A
AA
Abd El Aziz
M M
MM
Ali
M A
MA
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D032430:Balanites; D002020:Buffaloes; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000592:standards*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014709:Vero Cells
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils