Antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity and phytochemical screening of Ficus septica Burm and Sterculia foetida L. leaf extracts

摘要

Ethanol extracts of leaves of?Ficus septica?Burm and?Sterculia foetida?L. were examined for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and cytotoxic properties. To determine these activities, the extracts were tested against bacteria and fungus through disc diffusion assay; against protozoa through growth curve determination, antiprotozoal and cytotoxicity assays. The extracts revealed antibacterial activities, inhibiting the growth of?Staphylococcus aureusand?Escherichia coli. Antifungal assay for?F. septica?extract showed that it inhibited?Candida albicans. The antiprotozoal assay against?Trichomonas vaginalis?showed that?F. septica?can reduce the number of parasites. Moreover, antiprotozoal assays against?Entamoeba histolytica?revealed that?F. septica?andS.?foetida?can inhibit the growth of the parasites, wherein the action can be comparable to metronidazole. With the?in situ?cell death detection kit,?T. vaginalis?exposed to?F. septica?and?E. histolytica?exposed to?F. septica?and?S.foetida?were observed to fluoresce in red surrounded by a yellow signal signifying apoptotic-like changes. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the chemical composition of?F. septica?extracts containing alkaloids, quaternary base, tannins, 2-deoxysugars, and benzopyrone nucleus, while?S.?foetidapossessing tannins, 2-deoxysugars, leucoanthocyanin, and benzopyrone nucleus. Thus, these plant extracts can possibly be used to produce alternative forms of antimicrobials.