Naslov
Antimicrobial activity of willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium L.) leaves and flowers

Autori
Kosalec, Ivan ; Kopjar, Nevenka ; Kremer, Dario

Izvornik
Current drug targets (1389-4501) 14 (2013); 986-991

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
antimicrobial activity; apoptosis; BHP; Candida albicans; Epilobium angustifolium; via

Sažetak
Since aetiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) is still unknown, the use of medicinal herbs extracts and products prepared thereof with antimicrobial activity are recommended, especially during early stage of BHP. The comparison of in vitro antimicrobial activity (using broth microdilution assay) between flowers and leaves of willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium L., Onagraceae) from Mt Velebit (Croatia) were performed. The strains (standard ATCC and clinical isolates) of Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli (including p-fimbriae positive strain), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were susceptible with MIC values between 4.6±0.2 and 18.2±0.8 mg/mL. The results of in vitro studies showed that no difference in antimicrobial activity between ethanol extract from leaves and flowers of E. angustifolium were found. Using the quantitative fluorescent assay with ethidium bromide and acridine orange we assessed the viability of C. albicans ATCC 10231 after in vitro exposure to E. angustifolium ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers. Apoptosis of C. albicans blastospores dominated over necrosis in all treated samples after short-term exposure with 6 mg/mL to 12 mg/mL of extracts. Beside some other valuable biological activity of E. angustifolium extracts, our data obtained by in vitro diffusion, dilution assay as well as antifungal viability fluorescent assay suggested that ethanol extracts of leaves and flowers of E. angustifolium L. are promising complementary herbal therapy of conditions such as BHP.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Farmacija

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