Antimicrobial, antimycobacterial and antibiofilm properties of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. fruit extract

Abstract

BackgroundCouroupita guianensis Aubl. (Lecythidaceae) is commonly called Ayahuma and the Cannonball tree. It is distributed in the tropical regions of northern South America and Southern Caribbean. It has several medicinal properties. It is used to treat hypertension, tumours, pain, inflammatory processes, cold, stomach ache, skin diseases, malaria, wounds and toothache.MethodsThe fruits of Couroupita guianensis were extracted with chloroform. Antimicrobial, antimycobacterial and antibiofilm forming activities of the chloroform extract were investigated. Quantitative estimation of Indirubin, one of the major constituent, was identified by HPLC.ResultsChloroform extract showed good antimicrobial and antibiofilm forming activities; however it showed low antimycobacterial activity. The zones of inhibition by chloroform extract ranged from 0 to 26 mm. Chloroform extract showed effective antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa starting from 2 mg/mL BIC, with 52% inhibition of biofilm formation. When the chloroform extract was subjected to HPLC-DAD analysis, along with Indirubin standard, in the same chromatographic conditions, it was found that Indirubin was one of the major compounds in this plant (0.0918% dry weight basis).ConclusionsThe chloroform extract showed good antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. Chloroform extract can be evaluated further in drug development programmes.

An updated review on Couroupita guianensis Aubl: a sacred plant of India with myriad medicinal properties

“…In a similar study, chloroform fruit extract displayed moderate activity against gram-positive bacteria, B. subtilis (14 mm), Micrococcus luteus (18 mm), Enterobacter aerogenes(19 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (26 mm), gram-negative bacteria Shigella flexneri (20 mm), Klebsiella pneumonia (18 mm), P. aeruginosa(8 mm) and Proteus vulgaris (12 mm). Further, the same extract showed 52% antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa at 2 mg/mL BIC, thereby demonstrating its ability to complex with the bacterial cell wall(47). In another study the ethanol fruit rind extract (at 10 mg/mL) showed moderate activity against S. aureus, E. coli, C. diphtheriae and Micrococcus sp (34)…”

Screening and Identification of Anti-Mycobacterial Plants

“…The tree possesses antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, antipyretic and analgesic properties. 16 theamazonian natives are also known to use infusions obtained from the flower, bark and leaves of the cannonball tree to treat hypertension, tumours and pain. 17 the leaves of the CG are used specifically for the treatment of the skin diseases, toothache, wound healing and malaria.…”

Comparison of Antibacterial Activity of Leaves Extracts of Tectona Grandis, Mangifera Indica, and Anacardium Occidentale

“…The antibacterial activity of herbal plants is may be due to adsorption of polyphenols to bacterial membranes with disruption of the membrane and subsequent leakage of cellular contents. In this study, ethanolic A. Occidentale leaves contains the phenolic active compound, such as anacardic acid which shows antimicrobial effect [17][18][19][20][21]. Flavonoids have been recognised as having a protective effect in plants against microbial invasion by plant pathogens.…”