title: Study of in vitro antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of selected Saharan plants.
abstract: The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of selected Saharan species, which are applied in the traditional medicine but not studied thoroughly from chemical and pharmacological point of view. The studied plants, namely Anthyllis henoniana, Centropodia forskalii, Cornulaca monacantha, Ephedra alata var. alenda, Euphorbia guyoniana, Helianthemum confertum, Henophyton deserti, Moltkiopsis ciliata and Spartidium saharae were collected from remote areas of North Africa, especially from the Tunisian region of Sahara. After drying and applying the appropriate extraction methods, the plant extracts were tested in antimicrobial screening assay, performed on 19 Gram-positive and -negative strains of microbes. The inhibition zones produced by plant extracts were determined by disc-diffusion method. Remarkable antibacterial activities were exhibited by extracts of Ephedra alata var. alenda and Helianthemum confertum against B. subtilis, M. catarrhalis and methicillin-resistant and non-resistant S. aureus. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of these two species were also determined. Antiproliferative effects of the extracts were evaluated against 4 human adherent cell lines (HeLa, A431, A2780 and MCF7). Notable cell growth inhibition was found for extract of Helianthemum confertum and Euphorbia guyoniana. Our results provided data for selection of some plant species for further detailed pharmacological and phytochemical examinations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timisoara 300041 , Romania.
authors.forename: Ionut F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Palici
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged , H-6720 Szeged , Hungary.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Liktor-Busa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged , H-6720 Szeged , Hungary.
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zupkó
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Ecology, UMR INRA BIOGECO, University of Bordeaux , Pessac 33615 , France.
authors.forename: Blaise
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Touzard
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Ecology of Arid Land, UR 11ES71, University of Sfax , Sfax 3038 , Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaieb
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Microbiology, University of Szeged , H-6725 Szeged , Hungary.
authors.forename: Edit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Urbán
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged , H-6720 Szeged , Hungary.
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hohmann
mesh_terms: D000352:Africa, Northern; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Ephedra alata var. alenda; Helianthemum confertum; Saharan plants; antibacterial activity; antiproliferative activity