Preliminary phytochemical, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antioxidant activities of the methanol extract of Murraya exotica Linn. leaves

The methanol extract of leaves of traditionally used medicinal plant Murraya exotica Linn. (Family: Rutaceae) was evaluated for possible cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antioxidant activities in this study. The extract was tested for phytochemical group test by standard method using chromogenic reagents, in vivo brine shrimp lethality assay using Artemia salina, thrombolytic effect by using the standard streptokinase and antioxidant activity by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). The study revealed the presence of reducing sugars, tannins, saponins and alkaloids. The extract showed statistically significant (p < 0.01) potent cytotoxic effect in brine shrimp lethality bioassay where the value of LC50 and LC90 were 1.27 μg/ml and 5.09 μg/ml respectively compared with the standard vincristine sulphate with the value of LC50 and LC90 0.09 μg/ml and 4.83 μg/ml respectively after 24 h. The study gave a significant indication to the use of the plant extract as a potential source for cytotoxic compounds. The extract showed mild thrombolytic effect of 15.78 % thrombolytic activity whereas the standard streptokinase showed 76.50 ± 0.82 %. In the antioxidant activity study, the extract showed free radical scavenging activity where IC50 = 1.25 μg/ml and IC90 = 4.4 μg/ml, compared with the standard ascorbic acid showing IC50 = 0.01 μg/ml and IC90 = 3.58 μg/ml. Based on the findings of phytochemical, toxicological and anti-oxidative activity, it is evident that the plant may contain some novel compounds that possess potent anti-mutagenic and anti-oxidative activities. The obtained results support the use of this plant in traditional medicine. © 2014 Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University.