Phytochemical and Pharmacological Screening of (Leaves, Roots, and Bark) Clerodendrum Viscosum

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate phytochemical nature (group determination of plant constituent) and selected pharmacological activities (cytotoxicity, anti-oxidant and antibacterial) of the ethanol extract of leaves, bark and root of Clerodendrum viscosum. Phytochemical study of the extract of Clerodendrum viscosum leaves indicated the presence of reducing sugar, tannin, alkaloid, flavanoid, carbohydrate, saponin, and steroid types of compounds. Photochemical study of the extract of bark indicated alkaloid, saponin, reducing sugar, carbohydrate, and gum types of compounds. Root indicates alkaloid, saponin, reducing sugar, carbohydrate, types of compounds. In the free radical scavenging activity study (DPPH assay) the extract (leaves, roots, and bark) showed mild antioxidant activity at the concentration of 100 µg/ml. A general cytotoxicity of (leaves, roots, and bark) the extracts was assessed by a simple and low cost assay using brine shrimp lethality as an indicator of cytotoxicity. The extract of leaves of Clerodendrum viscosum showed moderate level of general toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality assay (LC_80=40" µg/ml" for leaves, and LC_90=40" µg/ml" root and bark). The extract showed significant antibacterial activity against both a number of gram positive and gram negative bacteria such as Proteus spp, Bacillus cerius, Staphylococcus agalactiae, Shigella dysenteriae and Salmonella paratyphi-A1. The obtained results provide a support for the uses of this traditional medicine.