Article · Volume 10, Issue 1 · pp. 52–56
Ficus racemosa L. Leaf Extracts Lack Antibacterial activity and are Toxic in vitro
Lindiwe Mpala1, Getmore Chikowe1, Ian Edwin Cock1,2
- 1School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
- 2Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
Abstract
Introduction: Closely related plant species often share similar secondary metabolites and bioactivities and are therefore good targets for bioactivity testing when one or more species within a genus are known to possess therapeutic properties. The genus Ficus has a long history of medicinal usage in many areas of the world. Many species are known to have ther¬apeutic properties, several species of which have well established anti¬bacterial bioactivities.Methods: The ability of F. racemosa leaf extracts to inhibit the growth of a panel of bacterial pathogens was investigated by disc diffusion assay. Toxicity was examined using the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay.Results: F. racemosa methanolic and aqueous extracts were completely ineffective at inhibiting the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative panels of bacteria. The extracts were nontoxic or of low tox¬icity following 24 h exposure.Conclusion: Despite the close taxonomic relationship with several bioactive Ficus spp. and its therapeutic uses in traditional medicine, F. racemosa leaf extracts were completely ineffective bacterial growth inhibitors. However, these extracts may have other thera¬peutic properties and testing against protozoa, fungi, virus and tumour cells is required.
Keywords: Myrtaceae; Rose gum; Antibacterial activity; Australian plant; Traditional medicine; Medicinal plants; Toxicity
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