Characterization and Evaluation of Different Extracts from the Leaf and Bark of Mussaenda glabrata Hutch.

Abstract

β-sitosterol (1) was isolated from the crude extract of the leaf of Mussaenda glabrata Hutch. (Family: Rubiaceae). The petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of the leaf and bark were screened in vitro for cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and disc diffusion method, respectively. The petroleum ether and methanol extracts of the bark showed potential cytotoxic activity (LC₅₀: 2.51 µg/ml and 2.94 µg/ml, respectively), the petroleum ether extract of the leaf and chloroform extract of the bark showed moderate cytotoxicity (LC₅₀: 4.56 µg/ml and 6.57 µg/ml, respectively) and mild cytotoxic activity was observed with chloroform and methanol extracts of the leaf of M. glabrata Hutch. (LC₅₀: 12.22 µg/ml and 8.84 µg/ml, respectively) in comparison with the standard Vincristine sulphate (LC₅₀: 0.34 µg/ml). Mild antimicrobial activity was observed from all the crude extracts.

Keywords: Mussaenda glabrata Hutch., Rubiaceae, β-sitosterol, cytotoxic activity, antimicrobial activity