In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of Crude methanolic extract and other fractions of Sterculia villosa barks.

Crude methanolic extract and other fractions of Sterculia villosa barks were investigated for their antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activity in this study. Antimicrobial activity of different extract was evaluated by measuring the diameter of the zone of inhibition against gram-positive & gram-negative bacteria and fungi using Ciprofloxacin as a standard antimicrobial agent. Free radical scavenging activity for the same extracts was determined by DPPH assay where BHT was used as positive control and Cytotoxicity was determined by Brine Shrimp nauplii where the minimum inhibitory concentration was assessed by serial dilution technique. Mild antimicrobial activity was found; crude methanolic extract showed effect against all the organisms, while other extracts showed effect for some of the organisms. The LC50 value for cytotoxicity assay was found 0.3, 2.95, 3.76, 35.33 & 55.98 μg/ml for CSV, PESV, CTSV, DCMSV & EASV extracts respectively where LC50 value of Vincristine Sulfate was 0.544 μg/ml. Ethyl acetate fraction showed good antioxidant properties and except Pet Ether fraction all other extracts showed considerable antioxidant activity. The bark of Sterculia villosa can be considered for further research for finding potent compounds of antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extracts of Desmodium pulchellum Benth. (Fabaceae) barks on albino wistar rats.

Effects of ethanolic extract of Desmodium pulchellum Benth. (Fabaceae) barks on alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated. In diabetic rats, blood glucose levels were reduced by 18.64 – 34.04 % on consumption of the extracts, with greater effect exhibited by the 1000mg/kg extract whereas in Glibenclamide treated diabetic rats, blood glucose levels were reduced upto 73.55%. The results suggested ethanolic extract of barks may contribute to the reduction of blood glucose levels and can be useful in the management of diabetes. The acute oral toxicity showed that the ethanolic extract of D. pulchellum barks was safe until 4000mg/kg body weight and no macroscopical organ abnormalities were observed in acute oral models. The investigations on Albino (Wistar) rats at dosage of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of D. pulchellum barks were made for anitiinflammatory action by using carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellete granuloma technique. The results of the study suggested significant dose dependent activity of extracts as compared to control group for both acute and chronic inflammation.