Bioactivity potential of extracts from synadenium glaucescens pax (Euphorbiaceae)

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Date

2013

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Publisher

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

The bioactivity of Synadenium glaucescens (Pax) extracts was studied in order to advance the knowledge that would enhance the utilization and commercialization of the plant. Participatory and questionnaire survey methods were used to establish ethnobotanical uses of the plant. Extracts from leaves, roots and stem samples were obtained using cold and hot extraction techniques. Brine shrimp test was involved for cytotoxicity studies. Using an in ovo method, extracts were tested against three viruses of veterinary importance. The agar well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration were used to determine antibacterial and antifungal activity. Soxhlet extraction technique was used for optimization studies and GC-MS and HPLC for phytochemical screening. A total of 220 respondents were interviewed and majorities (94%) were aware of ethnomedical value of S. glaucescens. Twenty six uses were documented. Leaves and roots were the parts mostly used for ethnomedical purposes and grandparents were responsible for knowledge transfer. The cytoxicity test indicated LC50 values less than 30pg/ml for all extracts. More than 50% of the extracts prevented deaths, deformation and formation of pox lesions in embryos challenged with Infectious bursal disease virus and Fowl Pox virus at 0.2 mg/ml, without affecting the host cells. The extracts inhibited multiplication of Newcastle Disease virus at lowest concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. Treatment with ethanolic extracts from the root bark resulted into higher antiviral activity against the three viral particles. Extracts from hot extraction showed higher antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to the extracts from cold extraction. Gram positive bacteria were more sensitive to extracts than the Gram negative bacteria. Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans were the most sensitive bacteria and fungus respectively. Ethanol extracts demonstrated higher antibacterial and antifungal activity than other solvent extracts. Higher extraction yields were obtained within 4 hours of extraction at 30°C for dichloromethane and 75°C for ethanol and particles size of 1 mm. Dichloromethane and ethanolic extracts were composed of triterpenoids and polyphenolic compounds respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential and the feasibility of using 5. glaucescens extracts for treatment of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases. Furthermore, it validates the ethnobotanical uses at community level.

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Keywords

Bioactivity, Potential of extracts from Synadenium, Cytotoxicity studies., Phytochemical screening., Glaucescens pax (Euphorbiaceae)

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