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Antibacterial activity of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus root extracts
S Puglisi1, A Speciale, R Acquaviva
1Department of Microbiological and Gynaecological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, I-95124 Catania, Italy. salvopuglisi73@yahoo.it
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
|June 25, 2009
Summary
Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus root extracts, particularly the bufadienolide fraction, demonstrate significant in vitro antibacterial activity against cattle respiratory pathogens. This finding supports the traditional veterinary use of this plant for treating infections.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus roots are traditionally used in Sicilian veterinary medicine for cattle respiratory infections.
- The specific bioactive compounds and their antibacterial mechanisms remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus root extracts.
- To investigate the antibacterial potential of bufadienolide and ecdysteroid fractions against bovine respiratory pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Phytochemical screening using chemical, thin-layer chromatography, and spectroscopic methods.
- In vitro antibacterial activity assessed by broth microdilution against seven standard bacterial strains.
- Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination.
Main Results:
- Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus roots contain bufadienolides and ecdysteroids.
- Crude methanolic root extract and its fractions exhibited antibacterial activity against respiratory pathogens.
- The bufadienolide extract showed the highest inhibitory activity, with lowest MIC values (100 µg/mL) against Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Conclusions:
- The roots of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus possess significant antibacterial properties.
- The traditional veterinary use of this plant is likely attributed to its demonstrated antibacterial effects.
- Further research into these compounds could lead to novel treatments for bovine respiratory diseases.
