Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    • About Journal
      • Aim and Scope
      • Editorial Board
      • Indexing Info
      • Contact Us
    • Browse Issues
      • Articles in Press
      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues
    • For Authors
      • Instructions to Authors
      • Article Processing Charges
      • Submit your article
      • Downloads
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pharmacognosy Communications
    • Home
    • About Journal
      • Aim and Scope
      • Editorial Board
      • Indexing Info
      • Contact Us
    • Browse Issues
      • Articles in Press
      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues
    • For Authors
      • Instructions to Authors
      • Article Processing Charges
      • Submit your article
      • Downloads
    Pharmacognosy Communications
    retyeyutreu
    Original Article

    An examination of the antibacterial, antifungal, anti-Giardial and anticancer properties of Kigelia africana fruit extracts

    wadmin2By wadmin2May 26, 2014Updated:August 10, 2021No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Pinterest Email

    Arkhipov, A.1, Sirdaarta, J1,2, Rayan, P1,2, McDonnell, PA1 and Cock, IE1,2*
    1School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
    2Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.

    Pharmacognosy Communications,2014,4,3,62-76.
    DOI:10.5530/pc.2014.3.7
    Published:May 2014
    Type:Original Article

    ABSTRACT

    Background: Kigelia africana is a common component of the pharmacopeia’s of multiple African groupings which inhabit the areas in which it grows. Amongst these groups there is a myriad of medicinal uses in the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections, as well as in the treatment of cancers. This study was undertaken to test K. africana fruit extracts for the ability to inhibit microbial and cancer cell growth, and thus to validate traditional African medicinal usage of this plant in treating a variety of diseases. Materials and Methods: K. africana fruit powder was extracted and tested for antimicrobial activity using modified disc diffusion and MIC methods. Inhibitory activity against the gastrointestinal protozoal parasite Giardia duodenalis and against CaCo2 and HeLa cancer cell lines was evaluated using colorimetric cell proliferation assays. Toxicity was evaluated using an Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. Results: The methanol, water and ethyl acetate K. africana fruit extracts displayed potent antibacterial activity. The methanol and water extracts displayed the broadest specificity, inhibiting the growth of 12 of the 18 bacteria tested (67 %) and 11 of the 18 bacteria tested (61 %) respectively. The ethyl acetate extract also displayed antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of 4 (22 %) of the 18 bacteria tested. These extracts were approximately equally effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, generally inhibiting the growth of 60–70 % of the bacteria tested. The methanol, water and ethyl acetate extracts also displayed broad spectrum antifungal activity, each inhibiting the growth of 3 of the 4 fungal species tested (75 %), including an ampicillin strain of A. niger. The methanol, water and ethyl acetate extracts also inhibited between 55 and 70 % of the growth of the gastrointestinal parasite Giardia duodenalis. These extracts also proved effective at blocking the proliferation of the colorectal cancer cell line CaCo2 to between 37 and 55 % of the untreated cell growth. The methanol extract also inhibited HeLa cervical cancer cell growth, albeit to a lesser extent (81 % of the untreated control growth), whilst the chloroform and hexane extracts stimulated HeLa cell proliferation. With the exception of the water extract, all extracts were non-toxic or of low toxicity. Conclusion: These studies validate traditional African therapeutic usage of K. africana in the treatment of several bacterial, fungal and protozoal illnesses and some cancers.

    Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Sausage tree, Giardia duodenalis, Anti-proliferative activity, Anti-cancer activity, Artemia, Toxicity.

    Download PDF
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    About Journal
    About Journal

    Pharmacognosy Communications [Phcog Commn.] is a quarterly journal published by Phcog.Net. It is a peer reviewed journal aiming to publish high quality original research articles, methods, techniques and evaluation reports, critical reviews, short communications, commentaries and editorials of all aspects of medicinal plant research. The journal is aimed at a broad readership, publishing articles on all aspects of pharmacognosy, and related fields. The journal aims to increase understanding of pharmacognosy as well as to direct and foster further research through the dissemination of scientific information by the publication of manuscripts. The submission of original contributions in all areas of pharmacognosy are welcome.
    Indexed and Abstracted in : Chemical Abstracts, Excerpta Medica / EMBASE, Google Scholar, CABI Full Text, Ulrich’s International Periodical Directory, ProQuest, Journalseek & Genamics, PhcogBase, EBSCOHost, Academic Search Complete, Open J-Gate, SciACCESS.
    Rapid publication: Average time from submission to first decision is 30 days and from acceptance to In Press online publication is 45 days.
    Open Access Journal: Phcog Commn. is an open access journal, which allows authors to fund their article to be open access from publication.

    © 2025 Pharmacognosy Communications. Maintained by Manuscript TechnoMedia LLP.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Scroll Up