Phytochemical and Biological Studies of Aerial Parts of Forsskaolea tenacissima Linn. (Urticaceae)

Abstract

Fractionation and purification of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Forsskaolea tenacissima L. (Urticaceae), afforded nine compounds identified as: lupeol (1), stearic acid (2), palmitic acid (3), arachidic acid (4), 1-hexadecanol (5), β-sitosterol/stigmasterol (6), maslinic acid (7), 2-hydroxy imino 3-phenyl propionic acid (8) which was first isolated from natural source in addition to β-sitosterol-3-β-D-glucopyranoside (9). Identification of these compounds had been established by physical, chemical and spectral methods. Compound 8 showed weak cytotoxic activity against tested normal cell line (Vero) and cancer cell lines (MCF-7, Caco-2 and HepG-2) exhibited IC50 value 216.74 µg/ml, 305.83 µg/ml, 412.84 µg/ml and 251.61 µg/ml respectively, in comparison with the doxorubicin as potent chemotherapeutic agent exhibited IC50 value 2.52 µg/ml, 2.75 µg/ml, 3.39 µg/ml and 1.75 µg/ml respectively. Total extract and methanol fraction showed high antiviral activity of 55.60% and 53.70%, respectively against Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1). Ethyl acetate fraction showed significant antimicrobial activity against both Gram negative bacteria as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram positive bacteria as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis while, both the total extract and different fractions did not show antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.