Carbon Tetrachloride Soluble Fractions Research Articles

A Study on Aphanamixis polystachya for evaluation of phytochemical and pharmacological properties

The present study was conducted to detect possible chemicals (phytoconstituents), and investigate antioxidant, antimicrobial and thrombolytic activities of the extract of Aphanamixis polystachya (stem bark). Phytochemical screening was carried out using the standard test methods of different chemical group. For investigating the antioxidant activity, two complementary test methods namely DPPH free radical scavenging assay and total phenolic content determination were carried out. For the evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activity, disc diffusion method, and to determine the thrombolytic activity, the method of Prasad et al., 2007 with minor modifications were used. The bark extracts were a rich source of phytochemicals. In DPPH free radical scavenging test, the Carbon tetra chloride soluble fraction showed the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value 19.86µg/ml. while compared to that of the reference standards ascorbic acid. Aphanamixis polystachya was also found as a good source of total phenolic contents. Moreover, the extracts revealed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity at the concentration of 400 µg/disc. By comparing with the negative control the mean clot lysis % was significant (p value <0.0009). Therefore, further studies are suggested to determine the active compounds responsible for the biological activities of the plant extracts.

Assessment of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxicity and Thrombolytic Potential of Erythrina fusca Lour Grown in Bangladesh

The current study was conducted to assess the antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity and thrombolytic potential of the leaves and stem bark of Erythrina fusca Lour grown in Bangladesh. For the assessment of antioxidant properties, DPPH scavenging and phosphomolybdenum assays were used. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the chloroform soluble fraction of a methanol extract of leaves of E. fusca exhibited the highest free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 5.5 ± 0.60 μg/ml, while the reference standard (ascorbic acid) showed an IC50 value of 5.8 ± 0.18 μg/ml. All the test samples and the standard BHT demonstrated good linear relationship in the phosphomolybdenum assay. It was observed that the test samples contained considerable number of bioactive compounds including total phenolics in the aqueous soluble fraction of the leaves giving the highest 94.02 ± 1.004 GAE/100g of dried sample. All test samples exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against 13 Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and 3 fungi, where the chloroform soluble fraction of the stem bark demonstrated the highest inhibition of growth with zone of inhibition of 19.3 ± 0.21 mm against Bacillus cereus. All the test samples displayed cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp nauplii having significant LC50 and LC90 values. The chloroform soluble materials demonstrated highest lethality with LC50 value of 1.55 ± 0.30 μg/ml and LC90 65.68 ± 0.23 μg/ml. On the other hand, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction of the stem bark showed the highest clot lysis (22.75 ± 0.59%) as compared to that (66.77 ± 0.61%) revealed by reference standard, streptokinase. The findings of this study revealed that the leaves and stem bark of E. fusca growing in Bangladesh possesses bioactive compounds but further studies are required to purify and identify them. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 25(1): 1-8, 2022 (January)

A Study on Aphanamixis polystachya for evaluation of phytochemical and pharmacological properties

The present study was conducted to detect possible chemicals (phytoconstituents), and investigate antioxidant, antimicrobial and thrombolytic activities of the extract of Aphanamixis polystachya (stem bark). Phytochemical screening was carried out using the standard test methods of different chemical group. For investigating the antioxidant activity, two complementary test methods namely DPPH free radical scavenging assay and total phenolic content determination were carried out. For the evaluation of in Vitro antimicrobial activity, disc diffusion method, and to determine the thrombolytic activity, the method of Prasad et al., 2007 with minor modifications were used. The bark extracts were a rich source of phytochemicals. In DPPH free radical scavenging test, the Carbon tetra chloride soluble fraction showed the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value 19.86 µg/ml. while compared to that of the reference standards ascorbic acid. Aphanamixis polystachya was also found as a good source of total phenolic contents. Moreover, the extracts revealed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity at the concentration of 400 µg/disc. By comparing with the negative control the mean clot lysis % was significant (p value <0.0009). Therefore, further studies are suggested to determine the active compounds responsible for the biological activities of the plant extracts.

Canvassing of biological attributes by In vitro screening of Canarium bengalense

Various Hoang family remedies known as Dai-Thien-Nuong, utilize Canarium bengalense Roxb. (Family: Burseraceae) as a major component for the treatment of tumor and liver damage. This study was performed using the crude methanol extract of C. bengalense Roxb. bark and its petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane and aqueous soluble fractions for antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities. The antioxidant activity was assessed by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay. The cytotoxic and thrombolytic activities were determined using vincristine sulphate and streptokinase as standards, respectively. Heat and hypotonic solution-induced conditions were induced to determine membrane stabilizing activity. Disc diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of the test samples. Among all the test samples, the crude methanol extract showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 50.62±0.26 μg/ml). In cytotoxic activity assay, the pet-ether soluble fraction revealed the highest cytotoxic potentials (LC50 = 8.96 ± 0.64 μg/ml). The same sample showed 31.08±0.12% of clot lysis in thrombolytic activity assay. In membrane stabilizing activity assay, the dichloromethane soluble fraction showed 60.94 ± 0.31% inhibition of heat induced haemolysis of RBC and this finding was found to be more significant than that of acetyl salicylic acid (42.12±0.38%) used as standard in this assay. Phytocomponents responsible for the observed activities should be isolated for new drug development. Key words: Canarium bengalense Roxb, total phenolic content, cytotoxicity, thrombolytic activity, membrane stabilizing activity.

Bioactivities of Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) Hook. f. - growing in Bangladesh

A total of three compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of bark of Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) Hook. f. growing in Bangladesh and characterized as isoscopoletin (1), umbelliferone (2) and β-sitosterol (3) by analysis of high field NMR spectral data as well as co-TLC with authentic compounds. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of different extracts of bark of A. cordifolia was evaluated against three Gram positive and Gram negative pathogenic bacteria. The carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction showed the lowest MIC value (7.81 μg/ml) against Sarcina lutea as compared to 1.25 μg/ml for ciprofloxacin. The crude extract demonstrated significant antidiarrheal, hypoglycemic and peripheral analgesic activities at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight in mice. On the other hand, the crude extract of bark of A. cordifolia revealed mild central analgesic activity.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anti-diarrheal and Analgesic Activities of Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal and analgesic activities of methanol extract of Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel buds growing in Bangladesh. The total phenolic content of methanol extract of D. malabarica and its Kupchan fractions was determined and expressed in gallic acid equivalent (GAE). In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the aqueous soluble fraction of the methanol extract of D. malabarica revealed maximum free radical scavenging activity having IC50 value of 6.17 μg/ml. In antimicrobial assay, all the test samples displayed prominent antimicrobial activity against the test organisms under in vitro conditions. Among these, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction was found to exhibit the highest activity against Bacillus cereus, Salmonella Typhi, Salmonella Paratyphi, and Candida albicans with the zone of inhibition as 32, 30, 28 and 30 mm, respectively. In evaluation of antidiarrheal activity, the D. malabarica extracts showed significant anti-diarrheal potential in a dose dependent manner. During the evaluation of analgesic activity by radiant heat tail-flick method, the plant extract at 400 mg/kg b.w. exhibited highest elongation (373.04%) as compared to morphine (472.48%). On the other hand, in acetic acid-induced writhing test, the extract at 200- and 400-mg/kg b.w. showed 61.11 and 66.67% inhibition of writhing in mice model, respectively as compared to 68.06% inhibition produced by the standard diclofenac-Na. The findings of this study justify some of the traditional uses of D. malabarica and reveal the bioactivity of the plants. Further studies are required to isolate and identify the bioactive compounds.
 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 22(1): 27-33, 2019

Investigation of biological activities of the flowers of Lagerstroemia speciosa, the Jarul flower of Bangladesh

BackgroundLagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. (Family: Lythraceae) is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of diarrhea, diabetes and other diseases. The study was performed to conduct antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antimicrobial, peripheral and central analgesic and hypoglycemic activity assays and phenobarbitone sodium–induced sleeping time test using crude methanol extract of flowers of L. speciosa and its different partitionates.MethodThe antioxidant potential was evaluated by determining the ability of the samples to scavenge 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The cytotoxic potential was examined following the procedures of brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Thrombolytic potential was assayed using streptokinase as standard. The samples were subjected to membrane stabilizing activity assay under heat induced condition. Antimicrobial potential was observed by disc diffusion method. The ability of the extract to inhibit writhing induced by acetic acid was determined in peripheral analgesic activity assay. The extract was also tested for central analgesic and hypoglycemic activities by tail flicking and tail tipping methods in Swiss albino mice model, respectively. CNS depressant activity was evaluated by an assay in which sleep was induced in mice using phenobarbitone sodium.ResultsThe chloroform soluble fraction of L. speciosa extract demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 4.20 ± 0.41 μg/ml) while the most prominent cytotoxic potency was showed by hexane soluble fraction (LC50 = 2.00 ± 0.31 μg/ml). Among the test samples, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction induced clot lysis (64.80 ± 0.27%) and prevented heat induced haemolysis (41.90 ± 0.10%) to the maximum extent. The largest zone of inhibition (19.0 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus, was also observed for the same fraction. In peripheral analgesic activity assay, 16.68% inhibition of writhing was documented for the L. speciosa extract (400 mg/kg body weight dose). The extract (400 mg/kg dose) also reduced blood sugar level by 56.12% after three hours of administration of glucose solution. In CNS depressant activity assay, mice of the sample group slept for shorter period of time compared to control group.ConclusionsFrom our investigation, it can be suggested that, the extract should be further studied for possible phytochemicals responsible for the observed biological activities.

English

This study was made to investigate in-vitro membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanolic leaf extract of Coccinia indica. Different extractives showed significant membrane stabilizing activity. The ethanol soluble fraction showed (45.36±0.45 % and 64.05±0.22 %) of Red blood cells haemolysis inhibition under heat and hypotonic solution induced conditions, respectively. Mention worthy that carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction of C. indica exhibited highest thrombolytic activity 57.94±0.23% in a comparison with standard streptokinase (SK) (68.89±0.35 %). The antioxidant activities were determined by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging. In this case, ethanol soluble fraction (ESF) of crude extract showed fairly significant scavenging (with IC50 value of 2.52 μg/ml) as opposed to a well-known antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (IC50 value of 3.99 μg/ml). Pet ether soluble fraction (PESF) and ESF showed mild inhibitory effects against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (zone of inhibition was 12 and 13 mm). The overall findings of the studies demonstrated that the leaves of C. indica has fairly significant membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic activity, mild to moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Thus, may indicated the scientific basis of C. indica leaves as a remedy for traditional uses against fever, pain, oxidative stress, inflammation, infectious diseases, diabetes, etc. Key words: Coccinia indica, in vitro, thrombolytic, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, antimicrobial activities. &nbsp

In vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, membrane stabilization and thrombolytic activities of Dioscorea hispida Dennst.

IntroductionDioscorea hispida Dennst. is a perennial herb, found in Bangladesh, and is traditionally used for the treatment of arthritis, ulcer and skin infections. In this study, the antioxidant, anti-microbial, thrombolytic and membrane stabilization activities of methanol extract of the plant and its aqueous (AQSF), petroleum ether (PETSF), dichloromethane (DCMSF) and carbon tetrachloride (CTCSF) soluble fractions were investigated with respect to its medicinal implications in traditional systems. MethodsAntioxidant activity of the plant fractions was investigated in the terms of their total phenolic content and free radical scavenging effect. Their anti-microbial assay was carried out against a total of twelve bacterial and three fungal pathogens. Thrombolytic activity was verified by the means of human blood clot lysis and membrane stabilization effect was determined against heat- and hypotonic solution-induced erythrocyte membrane lysis. ResultsThe CTCSF of the plant was found to have a substantial phenolic content, strong free radical scavenging and moderate antimicrobial effects which were at their maximum in the methanol extract and its aqueous, dichloromethane and petroleum ether fractions. The PETSF and CTCSF significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited heat- and hypotonic solution-induced erythrocyte membrane lysis, compared to crude extract and the standard drug, acetylsalicylic acid, respectively. The AQSF demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) thrombolytic activity compared with organic fractions of methanol extract of the plant. ConclusionThe investigation revealed bioactive extracts of D. hispida by the means of their antioxidant, anti-microbial, thrombolytic and membrane stabilization activities, which may significantly aid in the isolation of bioactive metabolites from the plant.

Justification of Traditional Uses of Asparagus Racemosus (Shatavari) - A Miracle Herb

Objective: The ethanolic plant extracts of Asparagus racemosus and their partitionates were assessed for thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in vitro. Methods: The collected plant was dried and grinded. The coarse powder was shocked in 2000 mL of 90% methanol for several days then filtrated. At 40°C the volume of crude ethanolic extract (CEE) was reduced by a vacuum rotary evaporator followed by concentrated aqueous ethanol extractive was fractionated into petroleum ether (PSF), carbon tetrachloride (CTSF), chloroform soluble fraction (CSF) and aqueous (AQSF) soluble fractions. Results: In thrombolytic assay among all the extractives, carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTSF) showed the highest clot lysis (41.48 ± 0.43%) activity as compared with standard streptokinase (65.16 ± 0.16%). With respect to the membrane stabilizing activity, chloroform soluble fraction (CSF) profoundly inhibited the lysis of erythrocytes (80.86 ± 0.36%) induced by osmosis, whereas reference standard acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) resulted in (88.99 ± 0.39%) inhibition of lysis. On the other hand, CTSF showed slightly higher level of protection against heat-induced hemolysis (85.68 ± 0.75%) as same as with ASA, (85.68 ± 0.75%)). In antimicrobial investigation, crude ethanol extract (CEE) and their partitioning fractions exhibited moderate inhibition of growth of some examined bacteria. The total phenolic content was found maximum (930.94 mg of GAE/gm) in CEE of A. racemosus. The antioxidant potentials in term of DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed EC50 values 2.62 μg/mL by aqueous soluble fraction (AQSF) in comparison to ascorbic acid 2.48 μg/mL as a reference standard. Conclusions: This study was conducted to validate the A. racemosus plant as thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing agent, antimicrobial and antioxidant.

Preventive activities against thrombosis and inflammation of Butea monosperma (Lam.) leaves methanolic extract in vitro model.

Aim: To find out the biological activities of thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing activity and also quantification of total phenol content in vitro model from the leave extract of Butea monosperma (B. monosperma) Method: The collected leave was dried and grinded. The grinded powder was kept in 2500 ml of 90% methanol for several days followed by filtered. At reduced temperature 40° C, the volume of filtrated crude methanolic extract was reduced by a vacuum rotary evaporator under reduced pressure. Following the concentrated aqueous methanol extractive was partitioned into petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions respectively by the Kupchan methods, Then all extracts were subjected to evaluate in vivo thrombolytic by Daginawala, membrane stabilizing properties by Okoli and Omale method and total phenol content followed by the method of Wolfe et al. Result: In thrombolytic assay among the extractives, petroleum soluble fraction showed the highest percent clot lysis (27.36 ± 0.10%) activity as compared with standard streptokinase (65.15 ± 0.16%). In case of membrane stabilizing activity, crude methanolic extract profoundly inhibited the lysis of erythrocytes (65.79 ± 0.40%) induced by osmosis, whereas reference standard acetyl salicylic acid resulted in (83.147 ± 0.39%) inhibition of lysis. On the other hand, aqueous soluble fraction showed slightly higher level of membrane stabilizing activity in the heat-induced hemolysis (75.3 ± 0.39). In the total phenolic content test, petroleum soluble fraction was found significant level of phenolic (249.06 mg of GAE/gm). Conclusions: This study was conducted to validate the B. monosperma leaves used as a folk medicine (for the ailment of thrombosis, inflammation) such as thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing

Medicinal properties of the sesbania grandiflora leaves

Background: The leaves of Sesbania grandiflora have been used in local traditional medicine since ancient times. In the present study we investigated, in vivo and in vitro, the potential health benefits of various fractions of the ethanolic extract of these leaves. Materials and methods: Crude ethanolic extract (CEE) of S. grandiflora leaves was partitioned into ethyl acetate soluble fraction (EASF), petroleum ether soluble fraction (PSF), carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTSF), chloroform soluble fraction (CSF), and water soluble fraction (WSF). The extracts were evaluated for their thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing (anti-inflammatory), antimicrobial, and antidiarrheal activities. The results were compared to the effects of standard drugs: streptokinase for the thrombolytic, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for the membrane stabilizing, kanamycin for antimicrobial, and loperamide for the antidiarrheal activities. Results: For thrombolysis, EASF showed the highest % of clot lysis (59.6%) among all fractions, while streptokinase and water resulted in 69.2% and 3.1% clot lysis respectively. With respect to the membrane stabilizing activity, the EASF significantly inhibited the hemolysis of human erythrocytes induced by hypotonic solution (64.3±0.6%) or by heat (57.2±0.7%). The other fractions exhibited no membrane stabilizing effect. By contrast ASA resulted in 73.9±0.3% inhibition of osmotically induced hemolysis and a slightly lower level of inhibition in the case of heat-induced hemolysis (70.1±0.3%). The antidiarrheal activity was evaluated in the mouse model. The unfractionated, CEE reduced the number of defecation episodes by 25.0% at a dose of 200 mg/kg and by 41.1% at dose 400 mg/kg body weight. All extract fractions exhibited significant antibacterial activity, which was higher against Gram negative bacteria than Gram positive bacteria. Since the pharmacological activities of S. grandiflora are due to the presence of bioactive compounds we detected and quantified the presence of significant levels of flavonoid and tannin substances. Conclusion: Leaves of Sesbania grandiflora have the potential to be used as a remedy for thrombosis, diarrhea, and inflammatory diseases and against few important bacterial pathogens.

Wild Cinchona (Neolamarckia cadamba) – Bioactivities of a Medicinal Plant of Bangladesh

The methanol extract of bark of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) and its organic and aqueous soluble partitionates were subjected to assays for antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antimicrobial and analgesic activities. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the pet ether and carbon tetra chloride soluble partitionate of the methanolic extract demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 60.46 ?g/ml and 78.58 ?g/ml, respectively. On the other hand, the carbon tetrachloride and pet ether soluble fractions displayed the potential lethality to brine shrimps, having LC50 of 7.24 and 7.89 ?g/ml, as compared to standard vincristine sulphate (LC50 value of 0.45 ?g/ml). During assay for thrombolytic property, the carbon tetrachloride and aqueous soluble materials revealed 66.36 % and 64.25 % clot lysis of human blood, respectively. In the membrane stabilizing assay, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction inhibited 86.79 % haemolysis of human RBCs in hypotonic solution-induced condition, while the aqueous soluble partitionate inhibited 92.39 % haemolysis of RBCs in the heat-induced condition. The crude methanolic extract of bark of N. cadamba showed significant central and peripheral analgesic activity at both 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, whereas its chloroform soluble fraction mildly inhibited the growth of test microorganisms. Therefore, our studies suggest that wild cinchona should be subjected to extensive phytopharmacological investigation.Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 19(1): 32-36, 2016

Triterpenoids and Steroid from the Leaves of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis.)

Three triterpenes a one steroidal glucoside were isolated from the methanolic crude extract and its carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction of the leaves of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis.). The structure of the isolated compounds were established as erythrodiol (1), betulinic acid (2), ?-sitosterol-3-O-?-D-glucoside (3) and taraxerol (4) by high field NMR analyses. This is the first report of the occurrence of these compounds in C. citrinus growing in Bangladesh.Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 15(1): 1-5, 2016 (June)

Thrombolytic, Membrane stabilizing, Antidiarrhoeal, and Antimicrobial Properties of Bioactive Compounds Isolated from leaves of Sesbania grandiflora Naturally Growing in Bangladesh

Abstract Sesbania grandiflora leaves are extensively used locally since ancient time as in traditional systems. Base on mainly folkloric use, we investigated to know the potential of Sesbania grandiflora leaves extracts through biological works in vivo and in vitro. The ethanolic extract of S. grandiflora leaves was partitioned into ethyl acetate soluble fraction (ESF), petroleum ether soluble fraction (PSF), carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTSF), chloroform soluble fraction (CSF) and aqueous soluble fraction (AQSF). The extracts were evaluated for their thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antimicrobial and antidiarrhoeal activities and the results were compared with standard drugs; streptokinase for thrombolytic, acetyl salicylic acid for anti-inflammatory, kanamycin for antimicrobial activities and loperamide against diarrhoea. In thrombolytic investigation, among all partitionates, the ESF showed highest % of clot lysis (59.57%) as compared to (69.23%) and (3.07%) exhibited by the standard streptokinase and water. In case of membrane stabilizing study, ESF also significantly inhibited the haemolysis of human erythrocyte membrane both induced by hypotonic solution (64.30 ± 0.64%) and by heat (57.21 ± 0.69%), respectively as compared to (70.12 ± 26%) and (73.90 ± 0.29%) demonstrated by acetyl salicylic acid. In the antidiarrhoeal assay, the ethanolic extract (EE) inhibited the mean number of defecation by 24.97% and 41.05% at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. In antibacterial activity, it was exhibited by the extracts, was comparatively more prominent on the gram negative bacteria than the gram positive bacteria. Our study revealed that satisfactory amount of flavonoid and tannin presence showed a significant and positive correlation between total phenolic compound contents with pharmacological activities of S.grandiflora.

Bioactivities of Murraya koenigii (Linn.) and Adina cordifolia (Roxb.)

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts and different organic soluble partitionates of leaves of Murraya koenigii and bark of Adina cordifolia. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the chloroform soluble fraction of methanol extracts of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia revealed the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 6.9 ± 0.78 ?g/ml and 6.83 ± 0.29 ?g/ml, while the methanolic crude extract of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia displayed the highest cytotoxic potential having LC50 values of 1.94 ± 0.36 ?g/ml and 0.88 ± 0.64 ?g/ml, respectively as compared to standard vincristine sulphate (LC50 value of 0.45 ?g/ml). During assay for thrombolytic activity, the crude extracts of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia showed 8.6 ± 0.48 % and 9.25 ± 0.84% clot lysis, respectively. In the membrane stabilizing assay, the methanol extract of M. koenigii inhibited 62.80 ± 0.81 % and 21.23 ± 0.84 % hypotonic solution- and heat-induced haemolysis of RBCs as compared to 72.2 % and 42.2 % inhibition by acetyl salicylic acid (0.10 mg/ml), respectively. On the other hand, the methanol extract of A. cordifolia demonstrated 42.04 ± 0.57 % and 21.57 ± 0.22 % inhibition of hypotonic solution- and heat-induced hemolysis, respectively. The extractives of A. cordifolia exhibited antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 8.0 to 26.0 mm against the test microorganisms with the highest zone of inhibition (26.0 mm) against Salmonella Typhi. Although the methanol extract of leaf of M. koenigii as well as its pet ether and aqueous soluble fractions demonstrated no antimicrobial activity, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTC) revealed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (16.0 mm).Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 18(1): 25-29, 2015

Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Thrombolytic and Antioxidant Activities of Syzygium fruticosum (Roxb.) DC.

The crude methanol extracts of the bark and leaves of Syzygium fruticosum (Roxb.) DC. were partitioned with petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and water for biological investigation. In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction of leaf extract (LCTF) showed significant lethality having the LC50 value 0.65 ?g/ml. In free radical scavenging activity screening (DPPH assay), chloroform fraction of methanolic extract of bark of S. fruticosum showed the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value 20.01 ?g/ml. In the microbiological investigation, only chloroform soluble fraction of bark (BCF) and aqueous fraction of bark (BAF) showed mild antimicrobial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 7 to 14 mm as compared to standard ciprofloxacin (zone of inhibition of 50 mm). In the study for thrombolytic property, different extracts of S. fruticosum revealed varying degrees of thrombolytic activity ranging from 33.46% to 62.51%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bpj.v17i1.22315 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 17(1): 51-54, 2014

Pharmacological Activities of Grevillea robusta, a Medicinal Plant of Bangladesh

The objective of this study was to evaluate the crude methanol extract of leaf of Grevillea robusta as well as its hexane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble partitionates for cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities. In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the crude methanolic extract of G. robusta leaf revealed the highest cytotoxic activity with LC50 values as 1.50 ± 0.45 ?g/ml as compared to 0.45 ?g/ml for vincristine sulphate. Among the extractives of G. robusta, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction showed 69.95±0.11% clot lysis as compared to 70.77% clot lysis by standard streptokinase. At concentration of 1.0 mg/ml, the chloroform soluble fraction inhibited 40.31 ± 0.59% and 62.93 ± 0.73% of haemolysis of RBC induced by heat and hypotonic solution as compared to 42.12% and 71.90% by acetyl salicylic acid, respectively. The test samples also showed antimicrobial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 7.0 to 17.0 mm in diameter. The chloroform soluble partitionate demonstrated the highest zone of inhibition (17.0 mm) against Salmonella Typhi. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bpj.v17i2.22329 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 17(2): 135-137, 2014

In vitro Antioxidant, Cytotoxic and Membrane Stabilizing Activities of Bauhinia acuminata L.

The crude methanol extract of leaves of Bauhinia acuminata and its Kupchan fractions were screened for antioxidant, cytotoxic and membrane stabilizing activities. Among all partitionates the aqueous soluble fraction of B. acuminata demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 7.22±0.200 ?g/ml. Moreover, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction showed significant cytotoxic activity having LC50 value of 12.13±0.215 ?g/ml. On the other hand, in hypotonic solution- and heat- induced conditions, the crude methanol extract inhibited haemolysis of human erythrocyte by 63.94±0.14% and 51.95±0.20%, respectively as compared to 81.97±0.77% and 42.11±0.39% demonstrated by the standard acetyl salicylic acid. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bpj.v17i1.22324 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 17(1): 99-101, 2014

In vitro Thrombolytic and Membrane Stabilizing Studies of Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt is a popular herb in Bangladesh. In the present studies, the plant has been assessed to evaluate its in vitro thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing properties. Initially, the plant was collected, processed and extracted with methanol and the concentrated crude methanol extract was fractionated into petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble materials. All extractives, including the parent extract were subjected to thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing bioassays. In case of thrombolytic study, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction exhibited highest clot lysis. Here, streptokinase and distilled water were used as positive and negative control, respectively. However, in the assay for membrane stabilizing activity, the crude methanol extract along with other extractives were capable to inhibit hemolysis of erythrocyte membrane in hypotonic solution- and heat- induced conditions, which indicated anti-inflammatory property of the samples. Acetyl salicylic acid was used as standard drug in this assay. This represents the first report of thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing activities of B. rapa subsp. chinensis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bpj.v17i2.22336 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 17(2): 172-176, 2014