Anti-sickling and Antibacterial Activities of Some Extracts from Gardenia ternifolia subsp. Jovis-tonantis (Welw.) Verdc. (Rubiaceae) and Uapaca heudelotii Baill. (Phyllanthaceae)

Aims: To evaluate the antisickling and antibacterial activities of Gardenia ternifolia and Uapaca heudelotii.

Study Design: Evaluation of the antisickling and antibacterial activities of anthocyanins and organic acids extracted from Gardenia ternifolia and Uapaca heudelotii In vitro.

Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, between November 2012 and April 2013.

Methodology: The antisickling and antibacterial activities of anthocyanins and organic acids extracted from Gardenia ternifolia and Uapaca heudelotii were assessed using Emmel, and disc diffusion and micro-dilution methods respectively. The disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of extracts while the micro-dilution method was performed to determine their MIC and MBC.

Results: The present study revealed that anthocyanins and organic acids extracts from G. ternifolia and U. heudelotii possess antisickling and antibacterial activities. All tested extracts from U. heudelotii displayed interesting antisickling and antibacterial effects. At the extract dose of 6. 25 µg/mL, the calculated normalization rates were 70% (for anthocyanins extract of U. heudelotii), 80% (for organic acids extract of U. heudelotii), 68% (for anthocyanins extract of G. ternifolia) and 72% (for organic acids extract of G. ternifolia). The reference bacterial strains S. aureus were more sensitive to anthocyanins extract: MIC = 31.25 (U. heudelotii) and 62.5 µg/mL (G. ternifolia) than the E. coli strains: MIC = 62.5 µg/mL (U. heudelotii) and 125 µg/mL (G. ternifolia).

Conclusion: This study provides a scientific basis for the antimibacterial and antisickling activities of anthocyanins and organic acids extracts from Gardenia ternifolia and Uapaca heudelotii. Isolation of different molecules may further yield significant antibacterial and antisickling new leads compounds.