Antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of methanolic whole plant extract of Boerhavia repens L. (Family:Nyctaginaceae)

Abstract

This study was designed to explore the phytochemicals, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities of the crude methanolic extract of Boerhavia repens L. (Family: Nytaginaceae). The phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of alkaloid, carbohydrate, glycoside, phenol, tannin, steroid, flavonoid, protein, saponin, and terpens. For the evaluation of antioxidant activity, total phenolic content was determined which manifests moderate antioxidant property (189.670.5204 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent) of the plant. The cytotoxic property of the crude methanolic extract of Boerhavia repens L. was assessed by using the brine-shrimp lethality bio-assay. The crude methanolic extract showed significant cytotoxic potential (LC50value 4.192 ?g/ml and LC90 value 124.33?g/ml) comparing with vincristine sulphate, a potent cytotoxic agent. The crude methanolic extract of Boerhavia repens L. was screened for antimicrobial activity against a number of Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria and Fungi using disc diffusion method. The extract showed mild antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria (10mm to 12mm) and moderate antimicrobial activities against Gram negative bacteria and fungi (15mm to 17 mm) at a concentration of 30?g/disc.