Validation of Ethnomedicinal Applications and Anticancer Properties of Berberis lycium Royle

Abstract

This study evaluates the antibacterial, hemolysin inhibitory, and anticancer properties of Berberis lycium, a medicinal plant with a rich traditional background. The crude methanolic extract and its fractions—n-Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous—were tested for their antibacterial activity against Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli. The crude methanolic extract exhibited the most significant antibacterial activity with inhibition zones of 15.2 mm, 14.8 mm, and 16.3 mm, respectively, indicating its potent efficacy. The chloroform fraction also displayed notable antibacterial effects, with inhibition zones of 12.7 mm, 11.9 mm, and 13.1 mm, respectively. In terms of hemolysin inhibition, the crude methanolic extract demonstrated the highest inhibition rate at 65.4%, surpassing the n-Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions, thereby supporting its traditional use in managing microbial infections. The anticancer activity was assessed using the MTT assay on L5178Y MDR mouse lymphoma cell lines, where the methanolic extract showed a remarkable 72.3% cell growth inhibition and an IC50 value of 18.6 µg/ml, indicating high efficacy. The chloroform fraction also displayed significant anticancer potential with a 65.4% inhibition rate and an IC50 of 22.8 µg/ml. These results reinforce the traditional medicinal uses of Berberis lycium and underscore its potential as a source of novel antibacterial and anticancer agents. The study highlights the need for further isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds within the plant and their subsequent evaluation for therapeutic applications.