This survey was conducted to test for in vivo Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) of Morinda elliptica leaves and root extract after successive maceration in four solvents (n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) ethyl acetate and methanol) and cytotoxicity was evaluated in terms of LC50 (lethality concentration). 10 nauplii were placed in different concentrations (in three replicates each) of the plant extracts, after 24 hours the surviving brine shrimp larvae were counted and LC50 was assessed. The result of the survey showed a concentration dependent increment in mortality rate of the brine shrimp nauplii and n-hexane and methanol fractions of the leaves and root extracts were more potent against the brine shrimp with LC50 values of 35.483 ppm and 39.259 ppm (μg/ml) respectively, whereas ethyl acetate of both the extracts exhibited lower potent activity with LC50 values 62.250 ppm and 102.250 ppm (μg/ml) in roots and leaves respectively. These findings indicated that bioactive ingredients are present in the plants that could account for its pharmacological effects.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if the plant extract could provide antifungal potential against some pathogenic fungi. Extract of Dichloromethane solvents was used for disc diffusion assay. The inhibitory concentration of the extract was performed by broth dilution method and zone of inhibition was studied by disc diffusion method at the concentration of 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000ppm in DMSO. Fluconazole was used as the reference control for antifungal study. The extract showed maximum inhibition potential of zone of inhibition against most of the pathogen (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida tropicalis and Fusarium oxysporium) used at concentration 25ppm to 250ppm with zone of inhibition (3.45±0, 3.33±0.12, 3.07±0.05 and 2.97±0.10mm respectively). The extract showed minimum inhibition potential against Fusarium oxysporium in all the concentration when compared with the control as well as to the other pathogens. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus was found to be more sensitive to Dichloromethane leaf extract followed by Candida tropical and lastly fusarium oxyspurium. The Present study indicates the potential usefulness of Dichloromethane leaf extract of Leptadenia hastata as antifungal agent.

This work was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of Morinda elliptica by determining the zone of growth inhibition of the leaf extract against selected bacterial and fungal strains. Antifungal and antibacterial properties of the extract at different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 μg/ml) were investigated after successive maceration in four solvents in order of increasing polarity [hexane (180 g), dichloromethane (342 g), ethyl acetate (471 g), and methanol (384)]. The agar disc diffusion method was used against selected human bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhii, Staphylococcus aureus, and the antifungal activity of the extract against Aspergillus brasiliences and A. flavus. Zones of growth inhibition of the extract were then compared with the standard antibiotic chloramphenicol (500 μg/ml) for the antibacterial activity, and against nystatin (500 μg/ml) for antifungal activity. The result of the study showed a remarkable bactericidal activity of the plant extract against the test organisms E. coli (14.667 + 0.577) and S. typhii (13.667 + 0.577) with a weak activity against the growth of S. aureus as compared to standard (21.667 + 0.577) at 500 μg/ml. The result of the antifungal activity showed considerable activity of the plant extract against the growth of A. brasiliences (11 + 0.1000) and weak activity against the growth A. flavus at 500 μg/ml. The findings of the study indicated that the leaf extract of M. elliptica is a reservoir of bioactive compounds. The compounds can be useful in the development of new pharmaceutical products that can be effective against human pathogenic strains E. coli and S. typhii. This could serve as a lead for understanding a novel mechanism of action in future research activities.

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present study was conducted to test for <em>in vivo</em> Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) of <em>Abrus precarious</em><em> </em>leaves and root extracts after successive maceration in four solvents (n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) ethyl acetate and methanol) and correlate cytotoxicity results with known pharmacological activities of the plant.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cytotoxicity was evaluated in terms of LC₅₀ (lethality concentration), 10 nauplii were added into three replicates of each concentration of the plant extracts, and after 24 h the surviving brine shrimp larvae were counted, and LC₅₀ was assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Potent cytotoxicity was found for both the leaves and root extracts of <em>Abrus precatorius</em>, results showed a concentration dependent increment in mortality rate of the brine shrimp nauplii and the n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions of the root and leaves extracts were more potent against the brine shrimp with LC₅₀ values of 7.870 ppm and 19.135 ppm (µg/ml) respectively, whereas methanol fractions of both the extracts exhibited low potent activity with LC₅₀ values 61.575 ppm and 226.053 ppm (µg/ml) in root and leaves respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The result indicated bioactive components are present in this plant that could be accounted for its pharmacological effects.</p>