Antitumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bersama engleriana (Melianthaceae).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as well as the phytochemical composition and the acute toxicity of the methanolic extracts from the roots (BER), stem bark (BEB), leaves (BEL) and wood (BEW) of Bersama engleriana. The crown gall tumor and DPPH radical scavenging assays were used to detect respectively the antitumoral and oxidant activities. Agar diffusion and liquid dilution were used for antimicrobial tests and the phytochemical assays were conducted according to Harbone methods. The single-dose oral toxicity test was performed in accordance with the OPPTS 870.1100 and OECD 401 guidelines. The phytochemical tests indicated the presence of flavonoids, phenols, triterpenes and anthraquinones in all extracts. Pronounced tumor reducing activity was observed with the extracts from the roots (69.32%) and leaves (65.42%). The DPPH scavenging activity showed that the extract from the leaves was the most active with 93.71% inhibition rate at the 1000 microg/ml. The results of antimicrobial activity showed that all tested extracts were active against all tested microbial species, including Gram-positive, and negative bacteria, the two Candida species and mycobacteria. The MIC values obtained ranged from 9.76 to 156.25 microg/ml. Under the conditions of the studied toxicity, all extracts were found to be non-toxic. The overall results of this study indicates that the extracts from the roots, stem bark, leaves and wood have interesting antioxidant properties and represent a potential source of medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer.