Biological activity of <em>Nothoscordum bivalve </em>(L.) Britton and <em>Parthenium incanum </em>Kunth extracts

Abstract

Medicinal properties of <em>Nothoscordum bivalve</em> (false garlic) have not been reported, while <em>Parthenium incanum</em> (<em>mariola</em>) is used to treat stomach and liver diseases. The aim of this work was to evaluate <em>in vitro</em> different biological activities of these plants to assess their pharmacological potential. Extracts were obtained by maceration or Soxhlet sequential solvent extraction. The extracts were tested by inhibiting the growth of <em>Acinetobacter baumannii</em>, besides for the techniques of <em>Artemiasalina</em> toxicity, cytotoxicity in human erythrocytes, cytoprotective, antioxidant capacity, quantification of soluble phenols and coagulation tests. MBC´s obtained were between 7.50±0.54 and 8.50±0.54 mg/mL. Toxicity assays showed LD₅₀ from 380 to 1882 µg/mL. Cytotoxicity was between 0 and 92.98 %. Cytoprotective effect indicated 0 to 94.58 %. Antioxidant capacity levels of extracts were between 275.55±21 and 598.99±4 µmol TE/g. Soluble phenolics concentrations between 1.35±0.07 and 4.13±0.04 g GAE/100 g were observed. Regarding coagulation assays, only one <em>P. incanum</em> extract showed significant difference (p < 0.05) in the PT assay. Extracts from the sequential extraction showed less toxicity and cytotoxicity, and greater antioxidant and cytoprotective capacity; they also showed no significant prolongation in the extrinsic pathway of coagulation, and a significant (although small) prolongation in the intrinsic coagulation pathway.