Extraction of Heliotropium hirsutissimum L. - a member of Palestinian flora- and testing its biological activities

Supervisor: 

Prof. Mahmoud Abu-hadid 

Co-supervisor:

Dr. Nidal Jaradat

Abstract:

Background: The plants are natural products that contain many hydrophilic and hydrophobic chemical components which may have antimicrobial activities.

Aims of study: The present study is aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity against three gram–positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis), and two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and antifungal activity against Candida albican of aqueous and organic extracts of Heliotropium hirsutissimum L. (H. hirsutissimum L.). Materials and methods: The well diffusion method was used to evaluate antibacterial and antifungal activities of aqueous and organic extracts of H. hirsutissimum ( L.). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal-fungicidal concentration (MBC-MFC) were determined by the serial dilution method.

Results : The aqueous extract showed antibacterial activities against all gram-positive bacteria with the greatest activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, its inhibition zone diameter was 16 mm {50% of the diameter of the inhibition zone (DIZ) of Imipenem}, while Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus were 10 mm (21.7%) and 12 mm (26%) respectively. The MIC on concentration 30 mg/ml showed activity against all bacterial strains and C. albican ranged from (2.7-30 mg/ml) with the lowest MIC value was 2.7 mg/ml against Staphylococcus epidermidis, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and C. albican was inhibited at the highest concentration 30 mg/ml. There is no bacteriocidal or fungicidal effect of H. hirsutissimum L. extract at concentration 30 mg/ml. The organic extract showed the same antibacterial activity of aqueous extract except in that it had no activity against Bacillus subtilis, as well as it had antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with inhibition zone diameter was 18 mm (50% of DIZ of Imipenem) and antifungal activity against C. albican with inhibition zone diameter was 16 mm (80% of DIZ of Nystatin) .

Conclusion : The H. hirsutissimum L. extract contain compounds with therapeutic activity