Phytochemical and Pharmacological Screening of Leaf of Dilenia indica Linn. (Chalta)

Abstract

Dillenia indica a tall tree (15-20m), belonging to the family Dilleniaceae was investigated for its phytochemical & biological activities. For these purpose the concentrated methanolic extract of leaves was used. Reducing sugar, alkaloids, gums, steroids and tannins were identified when crude extract was subjected to screening for different chemical groups. Antibacterial activity was assayed against a number of selective bacteria. Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella dysenterriae type-1, Shigella boydii, Vibrio cholera, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhi-13690 and Salmonella paratyphi A-141203 were found to be inhibited by methanolic extract. Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) value was found to be 200μg/ml for each of Shigella boydii and Bacillus subtilis, while 300μg/ml and 450μg/ml for Shigella dysenterriae type-1 and Vibrio cholerae respectively. Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) value was found to be 500μg/ml for each of Shigella boydii, Vibrio cholerae and Shigella dysenterriae type-1 and 300μg/ml for Bacillus subtilis. This extract did not show any inhibitory effect against Psedomonas and Streptococcus agalactiae. The brine shrimp lethality assay is considered a useful tool for preliminary assessment of toxicity. The Methanolic extract of leaves of Dillenia indica (Linn) showed the moderate toxicity (LC50-3μg/ml and LC90-32 μg/ml) in the brine shrimp lethality assay.