PHYTOCHEMICAL, CYTOTOXIC, AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF BLIGHIA SAPIDAK. D. KOENIG (SAPINDACEAE) AND TRICHILIA EMETICAVAHL (MELIACEAE) EVALUATED BY XTT ASSAY

Phytochemical composition, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts study were made from two medicinal plants native to Cote dIvoire: Blighiasapida K.D. Koenig (Sapindaceae) and TrichiliaemeticaVahl(Meliaceae). These plants are traditionally used to treat various ailments, including skin infections, fevers and parasitic disorders. The extraction yields obtained were 10.88% for Blighiasapida (EEBS) and 11.34 for Trichiliaemetica(EETE), slightly lower than those reported for aqueous extracts in previous studies. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of several bioactive metabolites, such as flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, and saponins, with specific differences between the two plants. Notably, EEBS is rich in saponins, while EETE contains anthraquinones and coumarins, which are absent in EEBS.The evaluation of cytotoxicity on immortalized human keratinocyte cells (HACAT) showed that EETE exhibited a more potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 131 ug/mL) compared to EEBS (IC50 = 183 ug/mL). This difference was attributed to the specific anthraquinones and coumarins present in EETE. These results suggest promising therapeutic potential for Trichiliaemetica, particularly in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases or certain cancers.Regarding antibacterial activity, both extracts demonstrated significant efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, with slightly higher activity observed for EETE, as confirmed by inhibition zone diameter tests and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). However, no notable effect was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, likely due to the intrinsic resistance mechanisms of this bacterium, including its protective biofilms and efflux pumps.This study highlights the chemical diversity and pharmacological properties of ethanol extracts from Blighiasapida and Trichiliaemetica. It also underscores the importance of carefully selecting the extraction solvent based on the target metabolites. The findings open new avenues for identifying and clinically exploiting the bioactive compounds present in these plants, particularly for antimicrobial and anticancer applications.