Phcog.Net logo
Submit

BROWSE ALL JOURNALS

    SEE ALL 6 JOURNALS
    Pharmacognosy CommunicationsNOW IN
    Article

    Ficus racemosa L. Leaf Extracts Lack Antibacterial activity and are Toxic in vitro

    Lindiwe Mpala1, Getmore Chikowe1, Ian Edwin Cock1,2★★ Corresponding author

    1. 1School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
    2. 2Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.

    CORRESPONDENCE

    Ian Edwin Cock

    School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.

    i.cock@griffith.edu.au

    Volume 10, Issue 1 · pp. 52–56 · PUBLISHED · DOI: 10.5530/pc.2020.1.9

    View on Pharmacogn. Commn. original site ↗

    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

    Open in new tab

    REFERENCES

    As published

    Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

      Cite this article

      SELECT FORMAT

      Mpala, L., Chikowe, G., & Cock, I. E. (). Ficus racemosa L. Leaf Extracts Lack Antibacterial activity and are Toxic in vitro. Pharmacognosy Communications, 10(1), 52–56. https://doi.org/10.5530/pc.2020.1.9