3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item A phytochemical and pharmacological study of ten Commiphora species indigenous to South Africa(2008-09-29T09:54:28Z) Paraskeva, Maria PenelopeCommiphora species (from which myrrh is obtained) has been a source of several novel and bio-active natural compounds. Traditionally, Commiphora (Burseraceae) is used in southern Africa for the treatment of ulcers, fevers, and as a remedy for snake and scorpion bites. In western Africa, the macerated stem is used in the treatment of rheumatic conditions. The resin of some Commiphora species is applied topically to aid in wound healing. Documented uses include antibacterial and antifungal properties, as well as cytotoxic, cytostatic and anti-oxidant activity. The botanical diversity of this genus in South Africa warrants a study of this plant group, to provide scientific evidence for the traditional use of Commiphora species in African healing rites. Ten Commiphora species were investigated. Fresh plant material of the selected species were identified and collected from natural populations in the Limpopo Province. Active compounds, viz. kaempferol and dihydrokaempferol, in C. glandulosa (stem) were isolated using bioassay-guided fractionation and identified using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The stem and leaf extracts of each species were analysed for in vitro anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer activity, as well as cytotoxicity. The anti-oxidant activity of the extracts was investigated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and the 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Extracts generally exhibited poor anti-oxidant activity in the DPPH assay, with the exception of C. schimperi (stem), C. neglecta (stem), C. tenuipetiolata (stem and leaf), and C. edulis (stem), which possessed IC50 values ranging between 7.31 μg/ml and 10.81 μg/ml. Isolated compounds were subjected to the DPPH assay to determine the anti-oxidant potential of each compound, separately and in combination to establish possible synergistic, antagonistic or additive effects. The flavonol, kaempferol (IC50 = 3.32 μg/ml) showed exceptional radical scavenging activity, in contrast to the low activity displayed by dihydrokaempferol (IC50 = 301.57 μg/ml), their combination being antagonistic. Greater anti-oxidant activity was observed for most species in the ABTS assay when compared to the results obtained in the DPPH assay. The best activity was observed for the stem extracts of C. neglecta (IC50 = 7.28 μg/ml) and C. mollis (IC50 = 8.82 μg/ml). In vitro antimicrobial efficacy was determined against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as yeasts using the MIC microtiter plate assay. A greater selectivity was exhibited by the extracts against the Gram-positive bacteria and yeast than against the Gram-negative bacteria. Using death kinetics studies (time-kill studies), the rate at which the antimicrobial agent kills pathogens over a 24-hour period was determined. The antibacterial activity of Commiphora marlothii (stem) was observed to begin at ca. 30 min of the exposure of S. aureus to the different concentrations of plant extract. All concentrations exhibited antibacterial activity, with a complete bactericidal effect achieved by all test concentrations by the 24th hour. Commiphora pyracanthoides (stem) displayed anti-inflammatory activity through good inhibition of the 5-LOX enzyme (IC50 = 27.86 μg/ml). The ability of extracts and kaempferol to inhibit the in vitro growth of three human cancer cell lines, namely the colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and the neuronal glioblastoma (SF-268), was evaluated using the sulforhodamine (SRB) antiproliferative assay. The most active Commiphora species against the HT-29 cells were C. glandulosa (leaf and stem) and C. marlothii (leaf). The MCF-7 cell line was the most sensitive to indigenous Commiphora species, with C. edulis (leaf and stem), C. glandulosa (leaf and stem), C. marlothii (leaf), C. pyracanthoides (leaf and stem), C. schimperi (stem), and C. viminea (stem) all possessing an inhibition greater than 80% at 100 μg/ml. Commiphora glandulosa (leaf and stem) and C. pyracanthoides (leaf and stem) were the two most active species against the SF-268 cells, with IC50 values ranging between 68.50 μg/ml and 71.45 μg/ml. The inhibition of the cancer cell proliferation by kaempferol in all three-cancer cell lines was determined, with IC50 values of 9.78 μg/ml in HT-29 cells, 20.21 μg/ml in MCF-7 cells and 43.83 μg/ml in SF-268 cells. The microculture tetrazolium cellular viability (MTT) assay was used to determine the cellular toxicity of the extracts against transformed human kidney epithelium (Graham) cells. Commiphora glandulosa (stem) proved to be most toxic (IC50 = 30.5 μg/ml). The IC50 values for all other extracts were in excess of 95 μg/ml suggesting low in vitro toxicity for the majority of the species. A phytochemical investigation of the non-volatile constituents of the leaf and stems was conducted using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC profiles and UV spectra of the stem extracts, and the representative flavonoid patterns in the leaf extracts of the species indicate that a similarity exists in their chemical fingerprint.Item The biological activity and phytochemistry of selected Hermannia species(2006-10-31T11:57:46Z) Essop, Ayesha BibiTraditional medicines form a significant part of the lives of many people around the world and in South Africa almost 60 % of people consult traditional healers in addition to the modern medical services available. Plants form a significant part of traditional healing and hence, selected species of a traditionally used plant genus, Hermannia, were chosen for biological and chemical investigation to determine a scientific basis for the traditional use of these plants. A phytochemical investigation was carried out, firstly using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and then isolation and identification of compounds from various Hermannia species. TLC analysis indicated significant similarities between the various species with only H. saccifera displaying chemical anomalies. This was further corroborated by the HPLC analysis although very conservative profiles were produced. Isolation of compounds from H. saccifera yielded a novel labdane compound, E-17, 19-diacetoxy - 15 - hydroxylabda - 7,13 - diene, as well as two flavones, 5,8- dihydroxy-6,7,4’- trimethoxyflavone and cirsimaritin which have previously been isolated. In addition, two commonly found compounds, lupeol and β- sitosterol were isolated from H. cuneifolia and H. salviifolia respectively. This is the first report on the isolation and identification of all five compounds from Hermannia species. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using two methods i.e. minimum inhibitory concentrations as well as the death kinetics assay. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using four Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria as well as two yeasts. All species investigated indicated antimicrobial activity with H. saccifera showing good activity against S. aureus and B. cereus. E-17, 19-diacetoxy - 15 - hydroxylabda - 7,13 - diene isolated from H. saccifera indicated activity (MIC = 23.6 μg/ml against S.aureus) although the activity was less than that of the crude extract (MIC = 19.5 μg/ml), thus, demonstrating that there are a number of compound contributing to the promising activity of the crude extract. This was further corroborated by the bioautograms developed of the H. saccifera extract. Time-kill studies on H. saccifera against S. aureus indicated that at concentrations of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 % bacteriostatic activity was observed while at 0.75% the extract achieved complete bactericidal activity after 240min. Free radical scavenging activity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Ten of the twelve species indicated good activity with H. cuneifolia demonstrating the most promising activity (IC50 = 10.26 μg/ml for DPPH and 10.32 μg/ml for ABTS). Two of the isolated compound, 5,8- dihydroxy-6,7,4’- trimethoxyflavone and cirsimaritin displayed insignificant activity. The 5-lipoxygenase assay was used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of Hermannia species. All species exhibited intermediate activity with the exception of H. cuneifolia (IC50 = 15.32 μg/ml). In addition, four isolated compounds, 5,8- dihydroxy-6,7,4’- trimethoxyflavone, cirsimaritin, lupeol and β-sitosterol showed moderate inhibition of the enzyme indicating that while these compounds do contribute to the activity of the extracts they are not individually responsible for any significant activity. Antimalarial activity was assessed using the titrated hypoxanthine incorporation assay while toxicity was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay. Only three species indicated any good antimalarial activity i.e. H. saccifera, H. muricata and mostly H. trifurca (IC50 = 25.30, 28.17 and 18.80 μg/ml respectively). However, the activity of H. saccifera and H. trifurca are probably due to a general cytotoxicity as these species exhibited a low safety index. All other species appear safe for use. Several Hermannia species have indicated in vitro biological activity in a number of assays which is related to their use in traditional medicines to treat a number of disease states. Hence, a scientific basis, albeit in vitro, has been established for the use Hermannia species in traditional healing.