Abstract

EVALUATION OF INVITRO ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND CYTOTOXICITY POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS ROOT EXTRACT OF SMILAX CHINA LINN’

Prof. D. Kokilavani*

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Abstract

Traditional Korean medicine has long utilized the root of Smilax china L., and our research has unveiled its remarkable antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential. This study was designed to assess the antimicrobial capabilities and cytotoxicity of an aqueous root extract from Smilax china L. against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while also exploring itseffectiveness in inhibiting biofilm formation. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity, we employed the agar well diffusion method with varying concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200, 400 μg/mL) of the root extract. These results were compared to the standard antibiotics chloramphenicol (30 mcg/disc) and Ciprofloxacin (5 mcg/disc). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for the Smilax china root extract against S. aureus was found to be 800 μg/mL, resulting in a 50% inhibition compared to the control. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was subsequently determined to be 1600 μg/mL. For P. aeruginosa, the MIC was established at 400 μg/mL, with a 50% inhibition compared to the control, and the MBC was determined to be 800 μg/mL. Notably, the root extract demonstrated biofilm inhibition potential, with biofilms being less dense at a concentration of 1600 μg/mL for S. aureus and 800 μg/mL for P. aeruginosa. Cytotoxicity assessments on RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells, using the MTT assay, revealed that the Smilax china root extract inhibited cell growth even at very low concentrations. The IC50 was calculated to be 3.1 μg/mL, resulting in a 50.6% inhibition rate. These findings underscore the promising antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of the Smilax china root extract, which may hold significant therapeutic potential.

Keywords: Smilax china L., Staphylococcus aureu, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, RAW 264.7 cells, Antimicrobial activity, Cytotoxic potential acitivity.