Antimicrobial and cytotoxic acetogenin from Polyalthia debilis

Abstract

Objective: To isolate bioactive acetogenin compound and to investigate antimicrobial, antioxidant as well as cytotoxic activities of the isolate, fractions and extracts of Polyalthia debilis. Methods: The P. debilis (roots) extracts and isolated compound were tested for their antimicrobial (agar dilution method) against twenty-seven strains of microorganisms (gram positive and gram negative bacteria, and diploid fungus), antioxidant (DPPH assay) and cytotoxic activities. The plant extracts were isolated by column chromatography and structure of compound was confirmed by spectral data . Result: The plant extracts and isolated fractions exhibited antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The isolated acetogenin 1 (debilisome E) displayed antimicrobial activity against Morexella catarrhalis with the MIC of 64 microgram/mL, Corynebacterium diphtheriae NCTC 10356 and Streptococcus pyogenes with partial inhibition (50-75%) at 128 microgram/mL. The compound 1 exerted cytotoxic activity against 5 cancer cells (HepG2, A549, HCC-S102,HL-60 and P388) with IC50 values 18.4 - 40.3 microgram/mL. Conclusion: The results demonstrate novel bioactivities of P. debilis as antimicrobials and anticancer agents.