Anti-Inflammatory, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Tuberculosis Properties of Selected Fabaceae Medicinal Plants through in vitro Studies

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is among the top ten causes of death in South Africa and worldwide and remains a high priority of the World Health Organization. South Africa has a rich tradition for using medicinal plants to treat various diseases, including TB; however, the safety and efficacy of these plants require thorough investigation and confirmation. This study examined the anti-inflammatory and anti-TB activities of three indigenous medicinal plants against two strains of TB. Methods: Water and methanol root extracts of E. elephantina (Burch.), L. lanceolata, and T. burchellianum were tested in vitro for their activity against Latin American Mediterranean (LAM) and East African Indian (EAI) lineages. Additionally, the phytochemical screening, anti-inflammatory properties, and cytotoxicity activities of these extracts were evaluated. Results: Aqueous extracts of E. elephantina and T. burchellianum exhibited anti-inflammatory activity at a concentration of 200 μg/ml, while L. lanceolata demonstrated no activity on macrophage cells. The E. elephantina extracts showed no cytotoxicity against the Vero cells at high concentration (200 μg/ml); however, both L. lanceolata and T. burchellianum aqueous extracts were found to be cytotoxic at 200 μg/ml. Unfortunately, none of the three plant extracts showed anti-TB activity against LAM and EAI stains. Conclusion: While the tested extracts lacked direct anti-TB effects, their anti-inflammatory properties and safety profile highlight their potential for adjunctive therapy in TB management or other inflammatory conditions. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanisms and potential clinical applications of these findings.