title: In vitro cytotoxic, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants from Vanuatu.
abstract: Sixty-three extracts obtained from 18 plants traditionally used in the South Pacific archipelago Vanuatu for the treatment of infectious diseases were screened for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities. In addition, the extracts were subjected to a detailed analysis on cytotoxic effects toward a panel of human cancer cell lines, designed as a smaller version of the NCI60 screen. Intriguingly, 15 plant extracts exhibited strong cytotoxic effects specific for only one cancer cell line. Extracts of the leaves of Acalypha grandis Benth. significantly affected Plasmodium falciparum without showing obvious effects against the other protozoa tested. The leaves of Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. displayed significant activity against Trypanosoma b. brucei and the leaves of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Lam. I as well as the stems of Macropiper latifolium (L.f.) against Trypanosoma cruzi. In contrast none of the extracts showed relevant antibacterial or antifungal activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Gesine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bradacs
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heilmann
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D009514:Vanuatu
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts