Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potentials of Aidia genipiflora (DC.) Dandy (Rubiaceae)

An increased resistance to current antimicrobial therapy has informed the search for alternative antimicrobial agents. Aidia genipiflora is used by traditional medicine practitioners to treat infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions. However, there is no scientific evidence to support its biological activity. The present study investigated the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential of whole extract (AG) and its petroleum ether (AGPE), ethyl acetate (AGEt) and methanol (AGM) fractions. Using the High-throughput culture growth inhibition assay (HT-SPOTi) for the in-vitro antimicrobial effect against clinically significant microbes, the whole extract showed activity against Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis at MICs of 250 µg/mL and against Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecalis at MICs of 500 µg/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction showed activity against Proteus mirabilis and Kleibsiella pneumonia at MICs of 250 µg/mL and against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi at 500 µg/mL. The methanol fraction and petroleum ether fraction showed activity at MICs of 250 µg/mL against Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. All extracts showed activity against Vibrio cholerae at MICs of 500 µg/mL. The whole extract, methanol and ethyl acetate fractions showed dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan induced footpad oedema model with respective percentage inhibition of oedema of 45.11±3.41, 31.12±3.42 and 29.28±3.58 (p < 0.001) at the highest dose of 300 mg/kg (figure 1). Diclofenac, used as reference drug, gave % inhibition of 48.94±3.58. The results of this study has demonstrated that Aidia genipiflora could be an alternative source of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents.

Fig. 1 Anti-inflammatory activity

• References

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