Antimicrobial activity, growth inhibition of human tumour cell lines, and phytochemical characterization of the hydromethanolic extract obtained from Sapindus saponaria L. aerial parts

Biomed Res Int. 2013:2013:659183. doi: 10.1155/2013/659183. Epub 2013 Dec 26.

Abstract

The hydromethanolic extract of Sapindus saponaria L. aerial parts was investigated for antimicrobial activity (against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi) and capacity to inhibit the growth of different human tumor cell lines as also nontumor liver cells. The evaluated extract was further characterized in terms of phytochemicals using UV, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, and MS spectroscopic tools. The extract has shown a significant antimicrobial activity on all tested bacterial and fungal species. The best activity was achieved against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus among bacteria and against all three Penicillium species tested. It also revealed cytotoxicity against human colon (HCT-15), cervical (HeLa), breast (MCF-7), and lung (NCI-H460) carcinoma cell lines, with HeLa being the most susceptible tumor cell line. The extract was not toxic for nontumor liver cells. Chromatographic separation of the extract resulted in the isolation and identification of stigmasterol, oleanolic acid, luteolin, luteolin 8-C-β-glucoside (orientin), luteolin 6-C-β-glucoside (isoorientin), luteolin 7-O-β-glucuronide, and rutin. The results of the present findings may be useful for the discovery of novel antitumor and antimicrobial agents from plant origin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Bacillus cereus / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Penicillium / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Sapindus / chemistry
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Plant Extracts