Indigenous plant extracts as novel antimicrobial arsenal: Unveiling the potential of Bismarckia nobilis, Choysia ternata, Chamaedora cataractarum, and Beaucarnea recurvate

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Amid the rapid advancements in contemporary medicine, the resurgence of phytomedicine as a therapeutic avenue has garnered substantial attention. Nearly 30% of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals trace their origins to botanical sources. Phytomedicine has been shown to hold promising applications to attenuate bacterial virulence and source new of bioactive compounds to battle multidrug resistant pathogens. In this context, the current investigation delves into the antimicrobial potential of four indigenous plant species Methodology: This study is primed to unveil the antibacterial and antifungal potential of n-hexane and methanolic extracts of Bismarckia nobilis, Choysia ternata, Chamaedora cataractarum, and Beaucarnea recurvate against strains of S. aureus and C. neoformans. These plant extracts' Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was discerned via the agar well diffusion assay, microbroth dilution assay, and MTT reduction assay. Results: Notably, the n-hexane extracts of B. nobilis and C. ternata exhibited robust activity against S. aureus strains, with 100 mg/mL concentrations yielding inhibition zones measuring 12.1–13.1 mm and 13.1–15.1 mm, respectively. Correspondingly, the methanolic extracts (100 mg/mL) of B. nobilis, C. ternata, C. cataractarum, and B. recurvata presented notable antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, as evidenced by zones of inhibition measuring 14.25 mm, 13.25 mm, 16.25 mm, and 17.35 mm, respectively. Microbroth dilution assays revealed that the MIC of CT and BN plants against S. aureus ranged from 0.78 to 3.125 mg/mL and 1.56–12.5 mg/mL, respectively, with a consequential MIC index of 0.1248 for BN and CT plants against S. aureus. The n-hexane extract of B. nobilis and C. ternata showed antibacterial activity against pathogenic S. aureus. Similarly, the methanolic extracts of B. nobilis, C. ternata, C. cataractarum, and B. recurvata exhibited potent antifungal activity against C. neoformans. Conclusion: This study postulates indigenous plant-derived extracts as potent and multifaceted antifungal and antibacterial resources for antimicrobial development.

Keywords

• Antifungal activity
• Minimum inhibitory concentration
• Agar well diffusion assay
• Antibiotics
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Cryptococcus neoformans