In vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial and Immunomodulatory Activities of Hippocrepis unisiliquosa L. Leaf Extract
Hasanain A.A. Almohseni, Fouad Razzaq Al-Burki, Hayat K. Salman, Fadhil A. Nasser, Laith A. Younus, Ali A. Ahmed, Khalid Hassan AbdalrudaIntroduction:
Biologically active compounds found in natural sources, especially medicinal plants, have been used for centuries due to their important role in therapeutics. The present study focused on the identification of chemical constituents and biological activities of Hippocrepis unisiliquosa L. (horseshoe vetch) extract, which is a member of the Fabaceae family.
Methods:
The plant leaves were extracted using 75% ethanol (1:10 w/v) based on the maceration technique followed by GC-MS analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the crude extract was evaluated by utilizing the standard strain Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the immunomodulatory activity of the extract was assessed by studying the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-10) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
Results:
GC-MS analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 52 compounds, including phenols, fatty acids, alkaloids, and heterocyclic compounds. The extract exhibited significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and the effect was 19.2 ± 0.5 mm at 100 mg/ml, compared to Vancomycin, 21.2 ± 0.3 mm. Subsequent MIC testing revealed an MIC value at 50 mg/ml. Furthermore, decreases in NO production and (TNF-α) levels were observed in a dosedependent manner, with corresponding increases in IL-10 levels, indicative of a concentrationdependent immunomodulatory effect.
Discussion:
The Hippocrepis unisiliquosa L. extract exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The results suggest that the extract not only mitigates the inflammatory response but also enhances immune regulation, and this is likely attributed to the identified bioactive compounds.
Conclusion:
The study provides preliminary scientific evidence supporting the traditional medicinal use of Hippocrepis unisiliquosa L., highlighting its potential as a valuable source of bioactive constituents and requiring further pharmacological investigation.