Volatile constituents and biological activities of Pycnostachys abyssinica and Pycnostachys eminii extracts.
BACKGROUND
Pycnostachys abyssinica Fresen and Pycnostachys eminii Gürke (Lamiaceae) are used in traditional Ethiopian medicine against eye and skin infections, "Mitch disease", and dysentery.


OBJECTIVE
Our study was aimed at characterizing essential oil (EO), phytochemical groups, and antimicrobial and anthelmintic activity of extracts to underscore the species' indigenous medicinal use.


METHODS
Plant organs of Pycnostachys species were subjected to hydrodistillation, and essential oils (EO) analyzed by GC-MS. Phytochemical compounds, antimicrobial (diffusion assay) and anthelmintic activity (bioassay) of gradient solvent extracts of different polarity were studied.


RESULTS
In the stem and root EO of P. abyssinica, 25 (99%) and 30 (99.79%) compounds were detected respectively, with estragole (70.4%) (stem) and exo-fenchyl acetate (30.6%) (root) as the most abundant compounds. In leaf, stem and root EO of P. eminii, 30 (90.66%), 27 (90.59%) and 27 (99.96%) compounds were detected, respectively, with high levels of β-caryophyllene (from 18.08% to 28.85%) and germacrene D (from 15.1% to 22.06%). Alkaloids, saponins, phytosterols, flavonoids, polyphenols, diterpenoids and carotenoids were detected in Pycnostachys. Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts showed distinct antimicrobial effects with generally higher potential activity of lipophilic and semi-lipophilic fractions. Leaf and root methanol extracts of both species showed lethal activity against earthworms.


CONCLUSIONS
Identified EO constituents and phytochemical groups underscore the observed antifungal, antibacterial and anthelmintic activity of Pycnostachys gradient solvent extracts.


CONCLUSIONS
EO analysis, phytochemical screening, and antimicrobial and anthelmintic assays indicate the biological potential of Pycnostachys species from Ethiopia, and emphasize their pharmacological and indigenous applications.
Hussien
Jemal
J
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Hymete
Ariaya
A
Rohloff
Jens
J
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005002:Ethiopia; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D018517:Plant Roots; D018547:Plant Stems; D013045:Species Specificity
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts