ABSTRACT
Aims: The present study was aimed at investigating the phytoconstituents in order to correlate the folkloric claims with the bioactive compounds present in Casuarina equisetifolia. Also evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic property of Casuarina equisetifolia. Methodology: In the present study, the leaf extracts were investigated for different phytochemical groups using specified reagents. Antioxidant activity by following DPPH free radical scavenging study, antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method and cytotoxic activity by Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay procedures. Results: The qualitative phytochemical screening revealed that the extract contains alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, steroids, etc. The extract showed strong antioxidant activity in DPPH free radical scavenging study (IC50: 25.89μg/mL), while, it showed moderate cytotoxic activity in Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay study (LC50: 77.98μg/mL). It also showed mild antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Conclusion: The present study tends to suggest the antioxidant, cytotoxic and mild antibacterial activity of MeOH extract of Casuarina equisetifolia.
ABSTRACT
The results of neuropharmacological, microbiological and toxicological studies on the ethanol extract of the bark of Excoecaria agallocha are reported. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg dosages) was found to produce a profound decrease in exploratory activity in a dose-dependent manner. It also showed a marked sedative effect as evidenced by a significant reduction in gross behaviour and potentiation of sodium thiopental-induced sleeping time. The totality of these effects showed that the extract possesses depressant action on the central nervous system (CNS). The extract of E. agallocha exhibited significant in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei and Enterococci with the zones of inhibition ranging from 11 to 15 mm. While the extract showed considerable brine shrimp toxicity (LD50 = 20 mg/mL), it displayed only low level of toxicity in mice.
Os resultados dos estudos neurofarmacológicos, microbiológicos e toxicológicos do extrato etanólico da casca de Excoecaria agallocha são reportados. O extrato (dosagens de 100 e 200 mg/kg) produziu uma diminuição profunda na atividade exploratória de maneira dose-dependente. Ele também mostrou um efeito sedativo marcante conforme evidenciado por uma redução significativa no comportamento total e potencialização do tempo de sono induzido por tiopental sódico. A totalidade destes efeitos mostrou que o extrato possui ação depressora sobre o sistema nervoso central (SNC). O extrato de E. agallocha exibiu significante atividade antibacteriana in vitro contra Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei e Enterococci com as zonas de inibição medindo entre 11 a 15 mm. Enquanto o extrato mostrou considerável toxicidade em Artemia salina (DL50 = 20 mg/mL), ele exibiu apenas baixo nível de toxicidade em camundongos.