Phytochemical screening and biological activities of Eminium spiculatum (Blume) Kuntze (family Araceae)

Eminium spiculatum (Blume) Kuntze (Araceae) is an indigenous plant in Jordan used as an anticancer agent. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of E. spiculatum and its antimicrobial, antiplatelet and antiproliferative activities. After isolation, antimicrobial activity was tested using well-in-agar method and in vitro platelet aggregation by aggrometric method. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by Sulphorhodamine B assay. Luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, isoorientin, vitexin, chrysoeriol-7-O-glucoside and beta-sitosterol were isolated and their structures determined. Luteolin exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in 1 mu gmL(-1) concentration. Luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and vitexin inhibited ADP and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. For the determination of the antiproliferative activity, MCF-7 and T47D were used. Luteolin demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 14.92 and 18.49 mu mol L-1 for MCF-7 and T47D, respectively. This research provided evidence about the chemical composition and biological activity of E. spiculatum.