Cytotoxicity (Brine shrimp Lethality Bioassay) of Barringtoniaracemosa Leaves, Stem-Bark and Root Extract

Objective: The present study was conducted to test for in vivo Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) of Barringtonia racemose leaves, stem-bark and root extracts after dissolving in five solvents (n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) ethyl acetate chloroform and methanol) and complement with cytotoxicity results with known pharmacological activities of the plant. Methods: Cytotoxicity was evaluated in terms of LC50 (lethality concentration), 10 nauplii were added into three replicates of each concentration of the plant extracts, and after 24 h the surviving brine shrimp larvae were counted, and LC50was assessed. Results: The cytotoxicity for the leaves, stem-bark and root extracts of Barringtonia racemose showed a concentration dependent increment in mortality rate of the brine shrimp nauplii in relation to the solvent nhexane dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol fractions of the leaf, stem and root and leaves extracts which were more potent against the brine shrimp with LC 50 values of methanol with 42.968 for leaf, and stem with 69.186. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate roots fractions of both the extracts exhibited low activity with LC50values 27.397 and 27.400 ppm (μg/ml) respectively. Conclusion: The result indicated bioactive components are present in this plant parts (leafs, stem-bark and roots) that could be accounted for its pharmacological effects.

Key words: Brine shrimp; Cytotoxicity; Barringtonia racemose; Leaves; Stem-Bark; Root.