A study on antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of two common weeds

Nistha Shrestha; Sonu Rauniyar; Dharma Prasad Khanal; Bechan Raut; Prakriti Gautam; Sujyoti Shakya

Authors

Nistha Shrestha Department of pharmacy; National Model College for Advance Learning, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Sonu Rauniyar Department of pharmacy; National Model College for Advance Learning, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Dharma Prasad Khanal Department of pharmacy; Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Nakkhu, Lalitpur.
Bechan Raut Department of pharmacy; Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Nakkhu, Lalitpur.
Prakriti Gautam Department of pharmacy; National Model College for Advance Learning, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Sujyoti Shakya Department of pharmacy; National Model College for Advance Learning, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Keywords:

Erigeron bellidioides, Lantana camara, Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay, antibacterial activity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate two common weeds causing detrimental effects in our environment. Erigeron bellidioides Benth. is a relatively unexplored plant causing a lot of distress and Lantana camara Linn. well established as a notorious weed in Nepal. Both the plants were studied for antibacterial activity against selected microorganisms and cytotoxic activity was also assessed. The plants were extracted in three solvents viz. hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol by soxhlet extraction. The extracts were subjected to antibacterial assay against two gram positive and two gram negative microorganisms using cup-diffusion method. The extracts possessing antimicrobial activity were then subjected to the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration. The cytotoxic activity was assessed by performing the Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay. The present study therefore, lays out a basis for further research upon these plants.