Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Neuropharmacological Activity of Methanolic Extract of Solanum capsicoides Leaves

Abstract

Background: Solanum capsicoides has medicinal importance due to having numerous therapeutically active ingredients. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess and interpret the cytotoxic and neuropharmacological activity of the methanolic extract of Solanum capsicoides leaves. Methods: The lethality bioassay test on brine shrimp was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity effect of the methanolic extract of Solanum capsicoides leaves. To evaluate the neuropharmacological activities of this plant extract, hole board test, hole cross test, open field test and elevated plus-maze test were used in mice model. All assessments were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s t-test. All of the data were analysed with the help of the SPSS software. Results: The test for brine shrimp lethality demonstrated that the LC50 of methanolic extract of Solanum capsicoides leaves was 55.883 μg/ml, containing potent cytotoxic components. The statistically significant (*P<0.05, **P<0.05 vs. control) result in hole board test, hole cross test, open field test, and elevated plus-maze test reveals the CNS depressant and anxiolytic properties in methanolic extract of Solanum capsicoides leaves. Conclusion: Results from our study support that the methanolic extract of Solanum capsicoides might possess significant cytotoxic characteristics, CNS depressant and anxiolytic effect. However, additional research is required to pinpoint the precise bioactive chemicals that are responsible for these activities.