Planta Med 2015; 81 - PW_19
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1565643

Antimicrobial activity of the extracts from some Phyllanthus species cultivated in vitro

B Sparzak 1, R Hałasa 2, M Krauze-Baranowska 1
  • 1Medical University of Gdansk, Department of Pharmacognosy, Gdansk, Poland
  • 2Medical University of Gdansk, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Gdansk, Poland

In subtropical regions the extracts from Phyllanthus species are used in the treatment of bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases (e.g. P. niruri, P. amarus). Literature data showed that antimicrobial activity of Phyllanthus species results from synergistic effects of occurring secondary metabolites.

The MIC and MBC values were determined to show antibacterial activity of extracts from shoot cultures of P. glaucus, P. multiflorus and P. juglandifolius and shoot culture and non-transformed root culture of P. amarus. The dry extracts dissolved in either DMSO or methanol were examined against strains of Gram (+) bacteria – Streptococcus G, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, B. subtilis, C. sporogenes, E. hirae, strains of Gram (-) bacteria – M. catarrhalis, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. vulgaris, P. aeruginosa, H. pylori as well as a yeast C. albicans. As controls, the alkaloid securinine, present as a dominant compound of the alkaloid fraction in the shoot culture of P. glaucus, and flavan-3-ol – catechin present in all tested species, were used.

Using DMSO to dissolve dry extracts higher MIC values were observed than when dissolved in methanol. The obtained results showed the differences in bacterial susceptibility depending on the Phyllanthus species. For the methanol extracts antimicrobial activity expressed as MIC was in a range from 0.01 mg/mL to 5.0 mg/mL, while the MBC value was determined from 0.01 mg/mL to 10.0 mg/mL. Securinine and catechin were active in a range from 0.03 to 0.25 mg/mL showing the highest activity against Streptococcus G and P. aeruginosa (securinine) and H. pylori (catechin).

All extracts and standards were inactive against E. hirae while the most susceptible strain was M. catarrhalis (MBC 0.01 mg/l).

Acknowledgement: This Project was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland, from the quality-promoting subsidy, under the Leading National Research Centre (KNOW) programme for the years 2012 – 2017".