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Introduction: Aleurites moluccanus (L.) Willd. is a large tree with a wide global distribution. All parts of the tree have been used medicinally and the nut is consumed in a variety of cuisines. Despite this, A. moluccanus nut extracts have not been rigorously examined growth inhibitory properties against many bacteria, including the bacterial triggers of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of A. moluccanus nut solvent extractions was investigated by disc diffusion and growth time course assays against a panel of bacterial triggers of autoimmune diseases. The growth inhibitory activity was further quantified by MIC determination. Toxicity was determined using the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. Results: Methanolic and aqueous A. moluccanus nut solvent extracts were potent inhibitors of all of the bacterial triggers of autoimmune diseases screened in this study. The methanolic extract displayed the most potent bacterial growth inhibitory activity. It was particularly potent against the bacterial triggers of rheumatoid arthritis (MICs of 438 and 215 µg/mL against reference and clinical Proteus mirabilis strains; MIC of 187 µg/mL against Proteus vulgaris). The methanolic extract was also a good inhibitor of K. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes growth with MICs < 1000 µg/mL. The aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts were also potent bacterial growth inhibitors, albeit with slightly higher MIC values. The antibacterial activity of the methanolic and aqueous A. moluccanus nut extracts were further investigated by growth time course assays which showed significant growth inhibition in cultures of P. mirabilis, K. pneumpniae and S. pyogenes within 1 h of exposure. All extracts were determined to be nontoxic in the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay, indicating their safety for prophylactic use in preventing these autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Conclusions: The lack of toxicity of the A. moluccanus nut extracts and their growth inhibitory bioactivity against the bacterial triggers of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatic heart disease indicate their potential in the development of new therapies targeting the onset of these diseases.

Introduction: Swainsona formosa is a legumous plant which is endemic to the arid inland regions of Australia. Several Swainsona spp. were valued by the first Australian for their antiseptic properties and were used traditionally to treat a variety of bacterial diseases. Despite this, S. formosa solvent extractions have not been rigorously examined for antibacterial properties against many bacterial pathogens. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of S. formosa leaf extracts was investigated by disc diffusion and growth time course assays against a panel of pathogenic bacteria. The growth inhibitory activity was quantified by MIC determination. Toxicity was determined using the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. Results: S. formosa leaf extracts inhibited the growth of a wide range of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The methanolic extracts were generally more potent than the aqueous extracts. The methanolic and aqueous S. formosa leaf extracts were particularly potent inhibitors of A. faecalis, A. hydrophilia, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, B. cereus, S. aureus and S. pyogenes growth, with MIC values substantially <1000 µg/mL and as low as 150 µg/mL against some bacteria (methanolic extract against P. mirabilis). The antibacterial activity of the methanolic and aqueous S. formosa leaf extracts was further investigated by growth time course assays which showed significant growth inhibition in cultures of all bacterial species within 1 h of exposure. All extracts were determined to be nontoxic in the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay, indicating their safety for therapeutic uses. Conclusions: The lack of toxicity of the S. formosa leaf extracts and their growth inhibitory bioactivity against a panel of pathogenic bacteria indicate their potential in the development of antiseptic agents.

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Introduction: Cinnamomum oliveri F. M. Bailey is a rain forest tree native to Australia. Decoctions, infusions and essential oils produced from the leaves were used traditionally to treat a variety of bacterial diseases. Despite this, C. oliveri leaf extractions have not been rigorously examined for antibacterial properties against many pathogens. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of C. oliveri leaf extractions was investigated by disc diffusion and growth time course assays against a panel of pathogenic bacteria. The growth inhibitory activity was quantified by MIC determination. Toxicity was determined using the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. Results: C. oliveri leaf solvent extractions inhibited the growth of a wide range of bacterial species. Growth of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria was inhibited by the C. oliveri leaf extracts to approximately the same extent. The methanolic extracts were generally most potent growth inhibitors. The methanolic, aqueous and ethyl acetate C. oliveri leaf extracts were particularly potent inhibitors of P. mirabilis growth, with MIC values as low as 127 µg/mL (methanolic extract). A. coli, K. pneumoniae and B. cereus were also particularly susceptible to the methanolic, aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts, with MIC values generally substantially <1000 µg/ mL. The antibacterial activity of the methanolic C. oliveri leaf extract was further investigated by growth time course assays which showed significant growth inhibition in cultures of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis within 1 h of exposure. All extracts were determined to be nontoxic in the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay, indicating their safety for internal use as well as for topical uses. Conclusions: The lack of toxicity of the C. oliveri leaf extracts and their growth inhibitory bioactivity against a panel of pathogenic bacteria partially validate the traditional usage of these species to treat bacterial diseases and indicate their potential in the development of antiseptic agents.