Abstract
The crude methanolic extract of Dillenia indica Linn. (Dilleniaceae) leaves has been investigated for the evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Organic solvent (n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride and chloroform) fractions of methanolic extract and methanolic fraction (aqueous) were screened for their antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method. Besides, the fractions were screened for cytotoxic activity using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay. Among the four fractions tested, n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform fractions showed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to standard antibiotic, kanamycin. The average zone of inhibition was ranged from 6 to 8 mm at a concentration of 400 µg/disc. But the aqueous fraction was found to be insensitive to microbial growth. Compared to vincristine sulfate (with LC50 of 0.52 µg/ ml), n-hexane and chloroform fractions demonstrated a significant cytotoxic activity (having LC50 of 1.94 µg/ml and 2.13 µg/ml, respectively). The LC50 values of the carbon tetrachloride and aqueous fraction were 4.46 µg/ml and 5.13 µg/ ml, respectively. The study confirms the moderate antimicrobial and potent cytotoxic activities of Dillenia indica leaves extract and therefore demands the isolation of active principles and thorough bioassay.
Highlights
The genus Dillenia has 60 species, of which Dillenia indica Linnaeus (Family: Dilleniaceae) is the most common edible species
The solvent extracts of fruits of D. indica are reported to have antioxidant activity.[ 4]. CNS depressant activities in mice were found from the alcoholic extract of the leaves of D. indica.[5]
Thirteen bacterial strains, which included 5 gram-positive and 8 gramnegative organisms, and 3 fungi collected from the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, as pure cultures were used
Summary
The genus Dillenia has 60 species, of which Dillenia indica Linnaeus (Family: Dilleniaceae) is the most common edible species. The common names include Chulta (Bengali, Hindi), Bhavya (Sanskrit) and Elephant apple (English). It is a spreading tree and has beautiful white fragrant flowers, toothed leaves, and globose fruits with small brown seeds.[1] The leaf, bark, and fruit of this plant are used as traditional medicine. Leaves extract of Dillenia indica which one is the best method for in vitro assay.[6] Majority of the researchers uses one of the three following methods for the assessment of antimicrobial activity: Disc diffusion, agar dilution, and broth dilution/microdilution method. The objective of this research work was to investigate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the different solvent fractions of crude methanolic extract of D. indica leaves
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