Antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic and Ca⁺⁺ antagonist effects of Caesalpinia bonducella

Abstract

Caesalpinia bonducella F. (Leguminosae) has been used as a folk medicine for a variety of ailments. The crude extract of C. bonducella and its fractions were studied for antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic and Ca⁺⁺ antagonistic properties. The strongest antibacterial effect was displayed by the n-butanol (72%) and ethyl acetate (80%) fractions, followed by the crude extract (46% and 42%), against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, respectively. The plant extract and its fractions showed mild to excellent activity in antifungal bioassays, with maximum antifungal activity against Candida glaberata (80%) and Aspergillus flavus (70%) by the n-butanol and chloroform fractions, followed by the crude extract (70% and 65%). Caesalpinia bonducella extract caused concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous and high K⁺ (80 mM)-induced contractions of isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, similar to that caused by Verapamil. These results indicate that C. bonducella exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, spasmolytic and Ca⁺⁺ channel blocking actions.

Keywords:

• Caesalpinia bonducella
• antimicrobial
• antispasmodic
• Ca⁺⁺ antagonist

Acknowledgement

This study was partially carried out during the study leave of Hidyat-Ullah Khan from the University of Science and Technology Bannu.