An Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical Analysis, Antimicrobial and Biological Studies of Pulicaria crispa as a Graze Promising Shrub

Abstract

Due to the global issue of antimicrobial resistance, one of the most significant challenges in microbiological research is to develop a replacement antibiotic with minimal adverse effects. The wild shrub Pulicaria crispa (gethgath) has been traditionally used for camel and ruminant grazing. While prior research has demonstrated its antimicrobial properties against human diseases, no investigations have been conducted on its efficacy against animal pathogens. The objective of this study is to explore the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity of Pulicaria crispa aqueous and solvent extracts against a range of standard and animal pathogens. All of the extracts demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, containing bioactive compounds. Notably, the ethyl acetate extract of P. crispa exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The chloroform fraction displayed the highest antioxidant activity. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction showed promising anticancer activity against breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cancer cells. These findings confirm that Pulicaria crispa is a valuable shrub with potential applications as a natural alternative for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer treatments in both human and veterinary medicine.

Keywords: Pulicaria crispa; animal pathogen; antibiotic resistance; anticancer; antimicrobial; antioxidant; ethnobotanical; gethgath; grazing herbs.

Figure 1

Pulicaria crispa (gethgath).

Figure 2

The antioxidant activity of P. crispa crude extract and fractions using ABTS scavenging activity method.

Figure 3

Antiproliferative effect of PC crude extract and its fractions on MCF-7 cell lines. Cells were treated with different concentration (0, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL) and cell viability inhibition is expressed as percentage (of negative control). Data represent the mean ± SD (standard deviation) of three independent experiments. Crude = crude methanol extract, Hex = hexane extract, CHCL3 = chloroform extract, EtOAc = ethyl acetate extract, ButOH = n-butane extract.

Figure 4

Antiproliferative effect of PC crude extract and its fractions on A549 cell lines. Cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL) and cell viability inhibition is expressed as a percentage (of negative control). Data represent the mean ± SD (standard deviation) of three independent experiments. Crude = crude methanol extract, Hex = hexane extract, CHCL3 = chloroform extract, EtOAc = ethyl acetate extract, ButOH = n-butane extract.