Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of Crescentia cujete leaves and stem bark.
BACKGROUND
The various parts of Cresecentia cujete have some important biological activities. In folklore medicine leaves are used to treat hematomas, tumors and hypertension. Fruit decoction is used to treat diarrhea, stomachaches, cold, bronchitis, cough, asthma, and urethritis. The present study was designed to explore the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of C. cujete leaves and stem bark. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by in vitro human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method and antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method.


METHODS
In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method while in vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated using cultures of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by disc diffusion method. Total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of the crude extract and fractions were also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent and by aluminium chloride method, respectively.


RESULTS
The crude ethanol extract (CEE) of leaves and bark (concentration of each 1.0 mg/ml) demonstrated strong membrane stabilizing activity (53.86 and 61.85% protection, respectively), whereas their chloroform fractions (CHF) revealed moderate activity (48.74 ± 0.56 and 43.55 ± 6.20 %, respectively) compared with standard aspirin (concentration 0.10 mg/ml) which showed 75.81% protection in this test. All the samples showed a dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in HRBC membrane stabilization test. Total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of the crude extract and fractions were also determined. Again, in in vitro antibacterial study, the extractives exhibited potent antibacterial activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this study showed that the leaves and bark of C. cujete possessed anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial activities indicating that the plant extract has therapeutic potential against the bacterial infection and also have effect on disease processes by causing destabilization of biological membranes.
Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh. rumiraj2@yahoo.com.
Mst Shahnaj
MS
Parvin
Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh. nandita.rubd@gmail.com.
Nandita
N
Das
Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh. nusratjahannity@yahoo.com.
Nusrat
N
Jahan
Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh. aashuva@yahoo.com.
Most Afia
MA
Akhter
Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh. laboni4@yahoo.com.
Laizuman
L
Nahar
Department of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh. ekram@ru.ac.bd.
Md Ekramul
ME
Islam
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029402:Bignoniaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts