Phytochemical, cytotoxic and antibacterial activity of two medicinal plants of Bangladesh

Ethanol extracts of the traditionally valuable plant Jasminum grandiflorum L. (Family – Oleaceae) and Ficus religiosa L. (Family – Moraceae) were screened for cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity as well as for some important phytochemical groups. The dried extracts of J. grandiflorum and F. religiosa were dissolved in 99.8% ethanol and qualitatively analysed for alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, gums, reducing sugars, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. Cytotoxic potential of dimethyl sulfoxide solution of the extracts were measured by using in vivo brine shrimp lethality assay. LC50 and LC90 values were determined graphically by plotting mortality against concentrations. Agar disc diffusion method was used to determine antibacterial sensitivity of the extracts against selected 14 pathogenic bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by broth macro dilution assay. The percent mortality of shrimp was increased with the increase of the doses of the extracts. LC50 and LC90 values were found to be (2.64 & 4.42 µg/ml) and (2.7 & 4.62 µg/ml) for J. grandiflorum and F. religiosa respectively in comparison with standard vincristine sulphate (1.0 & 3.86 µg/ml). Highest zone of inhibition produced by J. grandiflorum was found against Proteus vulgaris (15 mm) and that of F. religiosa was found against Enterococcus faecalis (14 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were observed within the range of 250-500 μg/ml.