In vitro pharmacological evaluation of three Barleria species

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology 2009-01, Vol.121 (2), p.274-277
• Main Authors: Amoo, S.O., Finnie, J.F., Van Staden, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acanthaceae; Acanthaceae - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-inflammatory; anti-inflammatory activity; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Antibacterial; antibacterial properties; Barleria; Barleria prionitis; Barleria species; Biological and medical sciences; COX-1; COX-2; Cyclooxygenase 1 - drug effects; Cyclooxygenase 1 - metabolism; Cyclooxygenase 2 - drug effects; Cyclooxygenase 2 - metabolism; General pharmacology; Gram-Negative Bacteria - drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria - drug effects; in vitro studies; infection; Medical sciences; medicinal plants; medicinal properties; Medicine, African Traditional; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; plant extracts; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Prionitis; prostaglandin synthase; prostaglandins; Prostaglandins - biosynthesis; South Africa; traditional medicine
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.10.035

Various parts of Barleria prionitis L. (Acanthaceae) are used in traditional medicine to treat infection-related ailments. A comparison of their activities and knowledge of their mechanisms of action are important for drug development and conservation. This study investigated the antibacterial effects and underlying mechanisms of action of the anti-inflammatory activities of different parts of three Barleria species of South African origin. Crude extracts of different parts of three Barleria species were investigated in vitro for their biological activity. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the micro-dilution assay against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2 assays. All the extracts showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.059 to 6.25 mg/ml. Twelve out of 21 crude extracts evaluated showed good activity (>70%) in the COX-1 assay while 10 extracts showed good activity in the COX-2 assay. All the petroleum ether extracts (except B. prionitis stem) exhibited good inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in COX-1. The results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of these plants as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. Their anti-inflammatory properties are mediated by the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzymes.