Anti-tuberculosis study of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> H37Rv of <i>Aspilia pluriceta</i> extract and fractions

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Mtb affects not only the respiratory system but also other body organs, such as the lungs, leading to pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, the brain, and the spine. Aspilia pluriceta from Meru Betiri National Park in Indonesia is one plant with potential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study aimed to determine the antituberculosis activity of extracts and fractions of Aspilia pluriceta against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Aspilia pluriceta was extracted by maceration with methanol, and the crude methanol extract was fractionated successively with hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and ethyl acetate. The phytochemical of the crude extract was determined by TLC and visualised by spraying with appropriate staining reagents. The crude extract and fractions of Aspilia pluriceta at concentrations 25, 100, 500, and 1000 μg/mL, respectively, were tested against the H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the resazurin method and analysed by an ELISA reader. Isoniazid, a first-line drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis, was used as the positive control agent. The phytochemical screening test revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and terpenes. The results of anti-TB showed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv with an IC₅₀ value of 0.48 μg/mL. The crude extract and other fractions exhibited low activity against the tested organism. The findings showed that the plant holds potential for phytochemicals with antituberculosis activity, which could be further explored through bioactivity-guided isolation for leads against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.