Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of Mirabilis Jalapa (L.) Seeds extract on bacteria isolated from Diabetic foot ulcers

This study was conducted at the Biotechnology Postgraduate Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Kufa, with support from the Al-Amin Center for Advanced Biotechnology Research, between November 4, 2024, and April 4, 2025. Phytochemicals from Mirabilis jalapa (L.) seeds were extracted using distilled water and soaking techniques. The cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of the crude aqueous extract were evaluated through in vitro human blood analysis, using ascorbic acid as the reference antioxidant. The extract was also tested for antibacterial activity against isolates obtained from diabetic foot ulcer patients, with bacterial identification confirmed using the Vitek2 Compact system. Among the isolates, Gram-positive bacteria represented 38.57%, while E. coli and K. pneumoniae accounted for 27.14% and 11.52%, respectively. Hemolysis tests showed no cytotoxic effects at extract concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 mg/ml compared with the Triton 100X control. Antioxidant analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the extract and vitamin C, with total antioxidant activity measured at 49.274%, 57.305%, 75.783%, and 76.693%. The DPPH solution showed no inhibition without plant extract. Antibacterial testing demonstrated concentration-dependent activity. The 50 mg/ml extract produced the highest inhibition zones, reaching 22 mm against P. aeruginosa and 13 mm against E. coli. The lowest inhibition occurred at 10 mg/ml, with zones of 10 mm against E. coli and P. aeruginosa, and 12 mm and 9 mm against K. pneumoniae. At higher concentrations, inhibition against K. pneumoniae reached 18 mm.