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Research Article

In vitro cytotoxic, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants from Vanuatu

  1. Gesine Bradacs1,
  2. Louis Maes2,
  3. Jörg Heilmann1,*

Article first published online: 14 DEC 2009

DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2981

Issue

Phytotherapy Research

Phytotherapy Research

Volume 24, Issue 6, pages 800–809, June 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Bradacs, G., Maes, L. and Heilmann, J. (2010), In vitro cytotoxic, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants from Vanuatu. Phytother. Res., 24: 800–809. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2981

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

  2. 2

    Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium

*Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 MAY 2010
  2. Article first published online: 14 DEC 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 5 JUL 2009
  4. Manuscript Revised: 3 JUL 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 24 MAR 2009

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Keywords:

  • cytotoxicity;
  • antibacterial;
  • antifungal;
  • antiprotozoal;
  • traditional medicine;
  • Vanuatu

Abstract

Sixty-three extracts obtained from 18 plants traditionally used in the South Pacific archipelago Vanuatu for the treatment of infectious diseases were screened for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities. In addition, the extracts were subjected to a detailed analysis on cytotoxic effects toward a panel of human cancer cell lines, designed as a smaller version of the NCI60 screen. Intriguingly, 15 plant extracts exhibited strong cytotoxic effects specific for only one cancer cell line. Extracts of the leaves of Acalypha grandis Benth. significantly affected Plasmodium falciparum without showing obvious effects against the other protozoa tested. The leaves of Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. displayed significant activity against Trypanosoma b. brucei and the leaves of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Lam. I as well as the stems of Macropiper latifolium (L.f.) against Trypanosoma cruzi. In contrast none of the extracts showed relevant antibacterial or antifungal activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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