Light-mediated activities of some Thai medicinal plant teas

Fitoterapia 73 (2002) 651–662

Light-mediated activities of some Thai medicinal plant teas N. Cheeptham*, G.H.N. Towers Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, University Campus, 噛3529-6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada Received 7 June 2002; accepted 13 September 2002

Abstract Forty-one types of commercially available Thai medicinal teas were tested for their lightmediated activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus K147 methicillin-sensitive (Ms), Escherichia coli DC10, E. coli (wild), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 187 (wild), Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. The results represent a first report of the light-mediated antimicrobial activities of Thai medicinal teas and suggest that phytochemical investigations may be warranted. 䊚 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Light-mediated activity; Thai medicinal plant teas

1. Introduction Medicinal plants, called samunphrai in Thai, have long been used in traditional healing in favor of Western medicine w1–3x. More than 15,000 species of plants are known from the country, of which some 500 herb-based medicines have been identified w4x. Although medicinal herbs are disappearing because of deforestation and interest by the younger generation in learning the techniques and traditions of their indigenous medicine is waning, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in Thai medicinal plants because of their perceived effectiveness and their affordability. To this end, the Traditional Thai Medical Wisdom Protection bill was *Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (N. Cheeptham). 0367-326X/02/$ - see front matter 䊚 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 3 6 7 - 3 2 6 X Ž 0 2 . 0 0 2 2 4 - 1

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approved with the aims of promoting research and development in herbal medicines in May 2000 w5x. New aspects of the photochemistry and photobiology of natural products, including their potentials as therapeutic agents, have been reviewed w6,7x. An increasing number of natural products from both plants and fungi have been shown to exhibit light-mediated biological activity against viruses, microorganisms, cells and insects w8x. Significant advances in this field have been made, for example in the photochemistry of the 1,2-dithiin polyenes (thiarubrines), the visible lightmediated antiviral activity and protein kinase C inhibition of the perylenequinone pigments (hypericin, hypocrellins) and the phototoxicity of plant-derived porphyrins (pheophorbides) w8x. Although there are a great amount of published data regarding antimicrobial properties of Thai medicinal plants, there is no information on light-activated biological activities from this natural resource w1–3,9–15x. Employing the idea of photochemistry and photochemotherapy, we focus here on potentially useful Thai medicinal teas some of which we have found to show light-mediated antimicrobial activities. 2. Experimental 2.1. Plant material Forty-one types of commercially available Thai medicinal teas were purchased from the Classic Touch teashop in Chiang Mai. These plants were collected and prepared for commercial use in Lampang, a province that lies approximately 96 km south of Chiang Mai, by the Lampang Medicinal Plants Conservation Assembly, founded by Mr Manop Pralomrum. The plants are listed in alphabetical order by family followed by their scientific, common English and vernacular (Thai) names along with parts used as remedies in Table 1. 2.2. Plant extraction Ten grams of each dried plant material was soaked in 85 ml of 95% EtOH for 48 h in the dark at room temperature. The yields of prepared extracts are shown in Table 2. 2.3. Test microorganisms Used test organisms are listed in Table 2. All laboratory strains were obtained from the University of British Columbia collection. 2.4. Antibacterial and antifungal assays Performed according to w7x. As positive controls, 20 ml of 1 mg Gentamycin in 1 ml water was used as a standard antibiotic for bacteria while for fungi Nystatin

Table 1 Thai medicinal plants used for this study with the information on their family, botanical, English common and Thai vernacular names, plant part used and their remedies Common names English and Thai

Part used: remedy

ACANTHACEAE

Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl

Sea holly Ngeug-Pla-Mor

Leaf: relieves body aches, allergies, colds, low immunity, insomnia, infected wounds, and can be used as fever reducer.

ACANTHACEAE

Andrographis paniculate Nees

Chiretta Fah-Tha-Lai-Joan

Leaf: excellent for the upper respiratory tract infections, antiinflamatory, diabetes and reducing blood pressure.

ACANTHACEAE

Clinacanthus nutans Lindau

Sa-Laed-PhungPhorn

Leaf: relieves nettle rash, dysentery, fever.

ACANTHACEAE

Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz.

Thong-Pan-Chung

Leaf: good for colds, relieves fever, refreshes the lungs. Relieves early stage of TB, headache from hypertension, reduces blood pressure, sore throat, constipation.

APIACEAE

Apium graveolem L.

Young garden celery Khuen-Chai

Whole plant: reduces blood pressure and expands the blood vessels.

APOCYNACEAE

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

Phaeng-Pouy-Farang

Leaf: relieves diabetes, lowers blood pressure, good for dysentery and chronic constipation.

ARALIACEAE

Schefflera leucantha Vig.

Hanuman-Pra-SarnKay

Leaf: colds, allergies, asthma, respiratory tract infections.

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Botanical names

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Family

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Table 1 (Continued) Botanical names

Common names English and Thai

Part used: remedy

ASTERACEAE

Chrysanthemum indicum L.

Chrysanthemum Kek-Houy

Flower: improves function of the brain, liver, heart and eyes.

COMPOSITAE

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Safflower Dok-Kum-Foy

Fruit: reduces blood cholesterol, relieves consitipation. Improves blood circulation and lowers blood pressure.

COMPOSITAE

Pluchea indica Less.

Indian marsh fleaban Kluu

Bark: good for diabetes, hemorrhoids.

COMPOSITAE

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Stevia Yar-Wharn

Leaf: herbal alternative to chemical sweeteners or sucrose.

COMPOSITAE

Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.

Yar-Dok-Kao

Leaf: relieves rheumatoid arthritis, complications during menstruation or abnormal periods, painful urination.

COMMENLINACEAE

Murdannia loriformis (Hassk.)

Yaar-Puk-Khing Rolla Rao et Kammathy

Leaf: reduces blood sugar, relieves inflamed wounds, cough, flu and allergies.

CUCURBITACEAE

Momordica charantia L.

Bitter cucumber Ma-Ra-Khi-Nok

Fruit: reduces blood sugar, nurtures eyesight, relieves stomachache, and promotes appetite.

EUPHORBIACEAE

Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn.

Look-Tai-Bai

Whole plant: improves liver function, relieves bladder and urinary inflammation.

GANODERMA

Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.ex Fr) Karst.

Lingzhi or reishi Hed-Lhinn-Jeu

Mushroom: relieves heart disease, diabetes, hypertentsion,

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Family

Table 1 (Continued) Family

Botanical names

Common names English and Thai

Part used: remedy strengthens health and prolongs life.

Ginkgo Pae-Gouy

Leaf: increases and improves blood flow to the brain, improving memory and thought, helps prevents aging, asthma and migraine

GRAMINAEAE

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.)

Stapf lemongrass Ta-Krai

Whole plant: refreshes and nurtures the voice, reduces fever from colds, relieves cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and runny nose.

GUTTIFERAE

Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T. Anders.

Garcinia Som-khaek

Leaf: reduces weight and excess fat by stopping the glycogen pathway, thus, converting fats to energy.

LABIATAE

Orthosiphon grandiflorus (Blume) Boldingh.

Cat’s whisker Yar-Noud-Maew

Leaf: aids in kidney disorders, relieves back and waist pains, gallstones.

LYTHRACEAE

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.

Queen’s flower In-Tha-Nin-Nam

Leaf: good for diabetes and relieves diarrhea.

LAURACEAE

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume

Cinnamon Ob-Cheuy-Thed

Bark and leaf: relieves fever, mild paralysis, fatigue and dyspepsia.

LEGUMINOSAE

Cassia alata L.

Ringworm bush Chum-Hed-Thed

Leaf and flower: laxative, diuretic effects. When used outside, relieves chloasma, pus and inflammatory wounds.

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Ginkgo biloba L.

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GINKGOACEAE

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Table 1 (Continued) Botanical names

Common names English and Thai

Part used: remedy

LEGUMINOSAE

Cassia siamea Lam.

Khi-Leck-Thai

Leaf: mild transquilizer, reduces anxiety, promotes better sleep, improves well-being. Rich in Vitamin C and A.

LEGUMINOSAE

Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth.

Jewel vine Tao-Wan-Prieng

Leaf and flower: relieves mascular pains, numbness and abnormal tendons.

LILIACEAE

Aloe barbadensis Mill.

Aloe vera Harng-Jor-Ra-Khae

Leaf: drinking regularly to strengthen health, helps control excretory system.

MALVACEAE

Hibiscus sabdariffa L.

Roselle Kra-Jieb

Fruit: good for gallstones, indigestion and flatulence.

MORACEAE

Morus alba L.

Mulberry Bai-Mone

Leaf: cancer preventative, relieves fever, indigestion and flatulence.

MYRTACEAE

Psidium guajava L.

Guava Farang

Leaf and fruit: relieves diarrhea, stomachache, peptic ulcer and duodenal ulcer.

PANDANACEAE

Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.

Pandanus palm Teoy-Horm

Leaf: refreshes heart, reduces fever, releives indigestion and flatulence.

PERIPLOCACEAE

Cryptolepis buchanani Roem. et Schult.

Tao-Enn-Oorn

Leaf: softens and helps correct deformity and stiffness of tendons.

PIPERACEAE

Piper sarmentosum Roxb.

Wild betel Cha-Plu

Leaf: reduces blood sugar and relieves diabetes.

PLANTAGINACEAE

Plantago major L.

Yar-Enn-Yeud

Leaf: helps get rid off gallstones

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Family

Table 1 (Continued) Family

Botanical names

Common names English and Thai

Part used: remedy and kidney stones.

Noni, Indian musyndrome, Bai-Yau

Leaf and fruit: allergies, arthritis, chest pains, indigestion, chronic fatigue coughs and sore throats, digestive ailments, fevers and vomiting, high blood pressure, infections of the mouth and gums.

RUTACEAE

Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.

Bengal quince Ma Toum

Fruit and root: used as expectorant and tonic. Restores vigor after illness. Relieves of flatulence and exhaustion. Helps food digestion and promotes the appetite.

SOLANACEAE

Physalis minima L.

Thong-Thaeng

Whole plant: relieves fever, oral thrush, cough with phlegm.

THUNBERGIACEAE

Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl.

Rhang-Jeud

Leaf: effective for allergies. Used as antidote to poisonous mushroom, bait, insecticides and any chemicals.

UMBELLIFEREA

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban

Asiatic pennywort Boa-Bok

Leaf: nourishes the internal organs, spleen and gall bladder, good for contusions and bruises, reduces heat.

ZINGIBERACEAE

Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf.

Ma slim galingale Kra-Chai

Root: anti-inflammatory for oral mucous membranes, relieves bacterial dysentery, stomachache.

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Morinda citrifolia L.

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RUBIACEAE

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Table 1 (Continued) Botanical names

Common names English and Thai

Part used: remedy

ZINGIBERACEAE

Zingiber cassumunar Roxb.

Yellow ginger Plai

Root: relieves dysentery, stomachache, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence and indigestion.

ZINGIBERACEAE

Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Ginger Khing

Root: good for motion sickness, stomach upset, nausea.

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Family

Table 2 Antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts of Thai medicinal teas Plants

E. coli (w) UVyD

E. coli (m) UVyD

S. aureus UVyD

B. subtilis UVyD

P. auroginosa UVyD

A. fumigatus UVyD

C. albicans UVyD

1.0 2.3 3.2 3.1 5.9 4.3 5.8 3.8 4.9 2.3 2.1 17.5 2.7 1.2 1.8

yyy yyy qyq yyy qyy yyy yyy qyq yyy yyy yyy yyy qyq yyy yyy

yyy yyy qyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy qyy yyy yyy yyy qyy yyy yyy

qyq yyy qyq qyq qyq qyq qyq qyq qyq qyy qyq qyq qyq yyy qyy

yyy qyy qyy qyq qyy qyq qyy qyq qyy qyy qyq yyy qyq yyy qyy

yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyq yyy yyy

yyy qyy yyy yyy yyy qyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy qyq yyy yyy

yyy qyy yyy yyy qyy qyy qyy qyy yyy yyy yyy yyy qqyqq yyy yyy

2.8

yyy

yyy

qyq

qyy

yyy

yyy

yyy

0.5 0.8

yyy yyy

yyy yyy

qyq qyy

qyq qyq

yyy qyq

yyy yyy

yyy yyy

42.9

qyq

qyq

qyq

qyq

qqyqq

yyy

yyy

16.0 4.6 7.0 2.0 5.6

yyy qyq yyy yyy yyy

yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy

qyy qyq qyy qyq qyq

qyy qyq qyq qyq qyy

yyy yyy qyq yyy yyy

yyy yyy qyy yyy yyy

yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy

659

Microorganisms

(%)

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Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl. Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Aloe barbadensis Mill. Andrographis paniculate Nees Apium graveolens L. Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. Carthamnus tinctorius L. Cassia alata L. Cassia siamea Lam. Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Chrysanthemum indicum L. Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume Clinacanthus nutans Lindau Cryptolepis buchanani Roem. et Schult. Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. Derris scandens Benth. Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr) Karst. Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T. Anders. Ginkgo biloba L. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Lagerstroemia speciosa L. Momordica charantia L. Morinda citrifolia

Yield

660

Table 2 (Continued) Plants

Methanol Gentamycin 8-MOP Nystatin

Microorganisms

(%)

E. coli (w) UVyD

E. coli (m) UVyD

S. aureus UVyD

B. subtilis UVyD

P. auroginosa UVyD

A. fumigatus UVyD

C. albicans UVyD

3.6 1.0

yyq yyy

qyq yyy

yyq yyy

qyy qyy

yyy yyy

yyy yyy

yyy yyy

1.2

yyy

yyy

qyq

qyq

qyq

qyy

yyy

4.6 3.0

yyy yyy

yyy yyy

yyy qyq

qyy qyq

yyy qyq

yyy yyy

yyy yyy

1.2 0.5 6.1 0.9 3.0 1.5 1.1 5.0 2.0 1.4 7.5 5.4

yyy yyy yyy yyy qyy qyq yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy

yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy

qyy qyy yyy qyq qyq qyq qyq qyq yyy yyy qyq qyq

qyy qyy qyy qyy qyq qyq qyq qyy qyy qyy qyy qyy

qyq yyy yyy yyy qyy qyq yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy

yyy qyy yyy qyy qyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy qyy qyy

yyy qyy yyy yyy qyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy qyy yyy

yyy qyq qyy yyy

yyy qyq qyy yyy

yyy qyq qyy yyy

yyy qyq qyy yyy

yyy qyq qyy yyy

yyy yyy qyy qyq

yyy yyy qyy qyq

(y) No zone of inhibition; (q) zone of inhibition diameter between 8 and 12 mm; (qq) zone of inhibition diameter between 12 and 20 mm.

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Morus alba L. Murdannia loriformis (Hassk.) Rolla Rao et Kammathy Orthosiphon grandiflorus (Blume) Boldingh. Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn. Physalis minima L. Piper sarmentosum Roxb. Plantago major L. Pluchea indica Less. Psidium guajava L. Rhinacanthus nasutus (L) Kurz. Scheffler leucantha Vig. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Thunbergia laurifolia L. Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Yield

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(in DMSO) was used at the same concentration. 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in MeOH was utilized as a positive control requiring light for activation. To monitor for light-activated antimicrobial activities, two replicate experiments were carried out. One replicate plate was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light (5 Wy m2, 320–400 nm from four Sylvania F20T12-BLB lamps, maximum emission at 350 nm) for 2 h while the other was kept in the dark w7x. The plates were incubated at 37 8C overnight (48 h for Aspergillus fumigatus); the zones of inhibition were observed and recorded as shown in Table 2. 3. Results and discussion The plants are listed in alphabetical order according to family, followed by botanical names, vernacular (in Thai) names and common English names where available, plant parts used and mode of use in Table 1. Percentage recovery (yield) and biological activities against designated microorganisms are shown in Table 2. The percentage recovery of most plants seemed to be less than the values reported by Lopez w7x. Only a small number of plants such as Garcinia (42.9%), Ginkgo (16.0%) and Chrysanthemum (17.5%) presented higher percentage of recovery. The main reason may be because the samples used by us were collected and sold commercially, and the period of time since collection and use were longer. Seven species, namely Catharanthus roseus, Cryptolepis buchanani, Ginkgo biloba, Physalis minima, Piper sarmentosum, Lagerstroemia speciosa and the bracket fungus, Ganoderma lucidum showed activities against Staphylococcus aureus. Apium graveolens and Psidium guajava showed activities against Escherichia coli (wild) and Aloe barbadensis, Cassia siamea and Cinnamomum zeylanicum L. possessed activities against E. coli DC10 (mutant). Out of 41 plant extracts, only that of Psidium guajava inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa under UV light. Some of the extracts produced higher activities under the influence of UV light. Interestingly, Morus alba lost its activities against E. coli (w) and S. aureus in the presence of light. In cases of antifungal activities, there were nine plant extracts active against A. fumigatus. Those were extracts of Aegle marmelos, Boesenbergia rotunda, Orthosiphon grandiflorus, Piper sarmentosum, Pluchea indica, Psidium guajava, Zingiber cassumunar, Zingiber officinale and Lagerstroemia speciosa. Aegle marmelos, Apium graveolem, Boesenbergia rotunda, Catharanthus roseus, Cassia alata and Piper sarmentosum. Psidium guajava and Zingiber cassumunar were active against C. albicans. Extracts from Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Garcinia atroviridis were active against all microorganisms tested. 4. Conclusions The results represent a first report of the light-mediated antimicrobial activities in Thai medicinal teas and suggest that phytochemical investigations may be warranted.

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Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr Prasit Wangpakapattanawong of the Department of Biology at Chiang Mai University and Ms Ratchada Pongsattayapipat of the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Chiang Mai for their assistance with the identification of botanical names. We would also like to thank Khun Maew, of the Classic Touch teashop for information on the medicinal properties of the preparations. In addition, we would like to extend our thanks to the Lampang Medicinal Plant Conservation Assembly for their help and interest in identifying the usages of Thai medicinal herb teas. References w1 x w2 x w3 x w4 x w5 x w6 x w7 x w8 x w9 x w10x w11x w12x w13x w14x

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