Evaluation of the antimicrobial and anticancer properties of the fruits of Synsepalum dulcificum (Sapotaceae)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2021
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the antimicrobial and anticancer activities of the fruit of Synsepalum dulcificum (Sapotaceae) against six bacterial strains and on two different colorectal cancer cell lines, respectively. Methods: The dried fruit of the plant was extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus successively with petroleum ether and ethanol, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator to obtain petroleum ether and ethanol extract, respectively. Phytochemical screening was done on the two extracts. The antimicrobial effects of the extracts against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogene, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris were evaluated using agar well diffusion technique while the anticancer effect of the ethanol extract was assessed on HCT-116 and primary colon epithelial (PCE) cell lines by MTT assay. Results: The results indicate that the petroleum ether extract of Synsepalum dulcificum fruits exerted stronger antimicrobial activity than the ethanol extract. The ethanol extract also showed significant anticancer activity (p < 0.05). The calculated half-maximal concentration (IC50) of the extract on HCT116 cells at 24, 48, and 72 h are 14.99, 8.97, and 8.54 mu g/mL, respectively, while the IC50 of the extract on PCE cell lines at 24, 48, and 72 h are 236.25, 206.09, and 196.72 mu g/mL, respectively. The extract was more toxic to cancer cells than to normal cells. Conclusion: The results of this study lend some justification for the use of the fruits of Synsepalum dulcificum as an antibacterial and anticancer agent.
Keywords
Synsepalum dulcificum, HCT-116, Primary colon epithelial (PCE) cell line, Antimicrobial activity, Anticancer activity
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Volume
20
Issue
9
Publisher
Pharmacotherapy Group, University of Benin, Benin City
Publisher Location
UNIV BENIN, FACULTY PHARMACY, BENIN CITY, 00000, NIGERIA