Biopotency of Biophytum sensitivum DC

Abstract

The present study was intended to examine the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, larvicidal potentials of B. sensitivum DC. The total phenolic content was determined by the standard method described by Siddhuraju and Becker (2003). The antioxidant activity of different extracts were determined using the stable radical DPPH, phosphomolybdenum and scavenging of hydrogen peroxide assays according to the standard method. In addition, the larvicidal and cytotoxic properties of the various extract of B. sensitivum were examined. Maximum amount of extractable total phenolics was observed in methanolic extracts of B. sensitivum (1399.84 ± 215.79mg GAE/g). The best free radical (DPPH) scavenging activity of B. sensitivum was observed in acetone extracts with IC₅₀ value 30.12µg/ml. The methanolic extracts of B. sensitivum displayed the strongest phosphomolybdenum reduction (202.24 ± 11.44 g AA/100 g) compared to other tested extracts. The methanolic extracts of B. sensitivum showed highest larval mortality in terms of lethal concentrations for 50% mortality against Culex quinquefasciatus with LC₅₀= 215.34 mg/ml. The methanolic extract of B. sensitivum displayed most effective at 90% mortality (LC₉₀) of brine shrimp nauplii occurred at 66.34 mg/ml Conclusion: The present investigations suggest that methanolic and acetone extracts showed a good result of antioxidant, larvicidal and cytotoxic activity. It was found that the high rates of phenolic substances widely distributed in B. sensitivum.