Planta Med 2015; 81 - PM_66
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1565443

In vitro antibacterial and antiproliferative screening of Hungarian bryophytes

E Liktor-Busa 1, E Urbán 2, I Zupkó 3, P Szűcs 4, D Csupor 1
  • 1University of Szeged, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Szeged, Hungary
  • 2Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
  • 3Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
  • 4Faculty of Natural Sciences, Eszterházy Károly University of Applied Sciences, Eger, Hungary

The bryophytes comprising of liverworts (Marchantiophyta), mosses (Bryophyta) and hornworts (Anthocerotophyta), can be found everywhere in the world except in the sea. In the Hungarian flora, more than 600 species are present, with the predominance of mosses. Although not applied in human nutrition, a number of bryophytes have been widely used as medicinal plants, especially in China for various illnesses, including diseases of bacterial origin (cystitis, pharyngitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, erysipelas) or as local antiseptics [1].

The most intensively studied activities of bryophytes are the antimicrobial and antiproliferative effects. However, compared to the higher plants, bryophytes have been less extensively studied. Taking into consideration the permanent need for medicines with improved antibacterial and antitumour effects, the phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of this taxon seems promising.

The aim of our study was the investigation of antibacterial and antiproliferative effects of some Hungarian bryophytes in vitro. 20 species were collected for our screening assay. In vitro antibacterial testing of extracts of different polarity of 20 species (4 extracts each) revealed significant antimicrobial activity of 9 species (B. rutabulum, C. cuspidata, C. dendroides, O. hians, P. longifolium, P. cuspidatum, P. undulatum, P. purum, T. muralis) on MRSA (ATCC43300 and 64326) or S. aureus (ATCC29213) with mild to strong efficacy. Antiproliferative assays on 3 human cancer cell lines (Hela, A2780 and T47D) confirmed > 50% activity in 6 of the tested 10 species (S. ruralis, C. dendroides, P. purum, R. squarrosus, A. abietina and P. cuspidatum, 10 or 30 µg/mL). From these, 4 were active on at least 2 cell lines, and C. dendroides, P. purum were active in the tested lower concentration (10 µg/mL).

References:

[1] Asakawa Y., Ludwiczuk A., Nagashima F. Phytochemical and biological studies of bryophytes. Phytochemistry 2013; 91, 52 – 80