Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of ethyl acetate extract of trigonella foenum-graecum seeds against urinary tract infection causing bacteria and human colorectal cancer cells / Nur Hidayah Kamaruddin

The issues of bacterial resistance and chemotherapy-induced side effects had emerged as major obstacles against treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI) and colorectal cancer (CRC). This has prompted the development of new alternative therapeutics from natural sources. The present study investigated the potential of ethyl acetate extracted Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) seeds as anti-microbial and cytotoxic agents. Briefly, ethyl acetate extract of TFG seeds was prepared by soaking the TFG seeds in ethyl acetate for 24 h and extracted using rotary evaporator. For assessment of anti-microbial activity, Disk Diffusion Method was adopted by impregnating with 10 µl of extract in different concentration (0.1 mg/ml - 100 mg/ml). Gentamicin, ampicillin and penicillin were included as positive controls. The treated bacterial cultures were observed and measured for zone of inhibition after 48 h. As for cytotoxic assay, HCT-116 (2,500 cells/ 180µ1) were seeded onto the 96 flat bottom well plate and incubated overnight. Cells were subjected to 72 h treatment with extract ranging (1 x 10⁻⁵mg/ml - 1 x 10⁻²mg/ml). Cell viability was evaluate by the SRB assay and data generated was used to plot the dose-response curve from which ICso was determined. It was found that ethyl acetate extract of TFG seeds was effective against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Gram positive bacteria were more selective towards this extract. Meanwhile, positive controls were more potent when compared to this extract. On the other hand, this extract inhibited HCT-116 in dose-dependence manner with the yield of IC50=0.026 mg/ml. 5-FU was more potent cytotoxic agent by 43.3 fold. Future study by using difference types of solvent should be conducted to improve this study.