Identification of the bioactive constituents and the antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities of different fractions from Cestrum nocturnum L.

This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic effects of chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions obtained from a methanol 80 % extract of Cestrum nocturnum L. (family Solanaceae) aerial parts, and to investigate the bioactive constituents present in these fractions. The results showed that the chloroform fraction had the highest antibacterial effect and cytotoxicity against lung, colon and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, while the ethyl acetate fraction displayed the highest antifungal activity and cytotoxicity against cervical carcinoma cell lines. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of triterpenes, coumarins and flavonoids in the chloroform fraction. Flavonoids, triterpenes and carbohydrates in the ethyl acetate fraction while tannins, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates and triterpenes were detected in the aqueous fraction. β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, protocatechuic acid and apigenin were isolated from the chloroform fraction; Kaempferol 8-O-methyl ether, kaempferol, kaempferol 3-O-α-rhamnoside and luteolin 7-O-β-glucoside were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction, while kaempferol di-sugars: kaempferol 3-O-β-glucoside-7-O-α-rhamnoside and kaempferol 3,7-di-O-α-rhamnoside, were isolated from the aqueous fraction. This study proves the bioactivities of C. nocturnum aerial parts that can be explored as a source of medicinal compounds