Evaluation of Antisickling Activity and Antibacterial Potential of Methanolic Root Extract of Ximenia americana Linn. (Olacacaea)

Abstract

Aims: This research work was done in order to evaluate invitro antisickling activity, and antibacterial potentials of the methanolic root extract of Ximenia americana, Linn. Olacaceae. Study Design: It is an experimental research work. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu, Abuja, Nigeria. The study was carried out between December, 2019 to June, 2020. Methodology: Evaluation of the antisickling activity of the methanolic root extract of Ximenia americana was carried out in two-fold; viz. the ability of the plant extract to inhibit or prevent sickling (antisickling effect) of erythrocytes from blood samples obtained from sickle cell disease (SCD) volunteers on one hand, and the ability of the extract to reversed pre-sickled erythrocytes using standard protocols. The antibacterial assay was done using microtiter broth dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on some selected encapsulated bacterial (E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Klebsiella pneumonia) that have been reported to caused complications in SCD.  Results: The methanolic root extract of Ximenia americana showed a concentration dependent antisickling activity across concentration gradient. The percent sickling inhibition was dose-dependent (0.05 mg = 60 %, 0.5 mg = 62 %, 1 mg = 88 %, 2 mg = 87 %, and 4 mg = 90 %), this result was statistically significant (p < 0.05 vs control) when compared to the untreated group (25 %). Similarly, the result of the sickle red cell reversal by the test extract demonstrated a percent dose-dependent reversibility (0.05 mg = 36 %, 0.5 mg = 40 %, 1 mg = 48 %, 2 mg = 58 %, and 4 mg = 63 %), a result that was significantly (p < 0.5 vs control) compared to the control (19 %). The antimicrobial assay result showed that, the sensitivity of the selected microorganisms to the plant extract was concentration dependent. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis showed better sensitivity to the extract with higher zones of inhibition (8 mm and 7 mm) at 80 mg/mL concentration. Conclusion: Methanolic root extract of Ximenia americana L demonstrated a significant dose-dependence antisickling and sickle cell reversal activities, with p < 0.05 vs control. Also, the extract showed sensitivity against some selected bacteria isolates as a result possess antibacterial activity against susceptible microorganism.