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. 2015 Oct 23:15:383.
doi: 10.1186/s12906-015-0918-7.

Antimicrobial potential of 27 plants consumed by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus Blumenbach) in Ivory Coast

Angora Rémi Constant Ahoua  1   2 , Amoin Georgette Konan  3   4 , Bassirou Bonfoh  5 , Mamidou Witabouna Koné  6   7
Affiliations

Antimicrobial potential of 27 plants consumed by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus Blumenbach) in Ivory Coast

Angora Rémi Constant Ahoua et al. BMC Complement Altern Med. .

Abstract

Background: Due to their genetic proximity, chimpanzees share with human several diseases including bacterial, fungal and viral infections, such as candidiasis, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), Ebola virus disease. However, in its natural environment, chimpanzees are tolerant to several pathogens including simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), virus related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that contribute to the emergence of opportunistic diseases such as microbial infections.

Methods: Twenty seven species of plants consumed by chimpanzees were evaluated for their antimicrobial potential against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata using the agar diffusion technique and micro-dilution in 96-well plates. In total 132 extracts (33 dichloromethane, 33 methanol, 33 ethyl acetate and 33 aqueous) were tested.

Results: The results showed that 24 extracts (18 %) showed activity against bacteria and 6 extracts (5 %) were active against yeasts. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) values of active extracts ranged between 23 and 750 μg/ml for bacteria and between 188 and 1500 μg/ml for yeasts.

Conclusion: Tristemma coronatum was the most promising on the studied microorganisms followed by Beilschmiedia mannii. The extracts of the two plants indicated by chimpanzees have potential for antimicrobial use in human.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Taï National Park. a Young chimpanzee eating Ficus fruits (Source: http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/french/chimpanzee); b-Group of chimpanzees (Source: http://www.sunservices.org/sun/index.php/tourisme/nos-parcs-et-reserves)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Localization of Taï National Park on Ivory Coast map (Source: wildchimps.org)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Example of plant organs consumed by chimpanzees. a Magnistipula butayei fruits; b Pycnanthus angolensis fruits; c Duboscia viridiflora fruits; d Panda oleosa fruits; e Nauclea diderrichii leaves; f Ancistrophyllum secondiflorum marrows
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Inhibitory diameters of some ethyl acetate extracts on two bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa CIP 103467 (a) and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (b) 24 = Musanga cecropioides; 25 = Landolphia hirsuta; 26 = Endocarp of Beilschmiedia mannii fruits; 28 = Duboscia viridiflora; 31 = Klainedoxa gabonensis; G = gentamicin
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Inhibitory diameters of some ethyl acetate extracts on two yeasts Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (a) and Candida glabrata (b). 1 = Dacryodes klaineana; 2 = Chrysophyllum taiense; 3 = Pericarp of Panda oleosa fruits; 4 = Dichapetalum pallidum; 5 = Mesocarp of Beilschmiedia mannii fruits; 29 = Pericarp of Beilschmiedia mannii fruits; 30 = Endocarp of Parinari excelsa fruits; 31 = Klainedoxa gabonensis
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