Phytochemical screening, antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of different fractions of xylocarpus mekongensis bark

Abstract

Background: In Bangladesh, the tree Xylocarpus mekongensis (Lamk.) M. Roem. is used as the traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of ailments. Objectives: The present study was undertaken for antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity study of the methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform extract of X. mekongensis bark. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial activity has been investigated against Vibrio cholera, Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi and Staphylococcus aureus by disc diffusion and broth macro- dilution assay. For cytotoxicity test, methanol, acetate and chloroform extract of bark of X. mekongensis were subjected to brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Results: The zone of inhibition has been observed with almost all bacteria with some exceptions. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts were found to be significant. The LC50 values of these three extracts were found to be 1280, 320 and 320 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusions: Findings of the study justify the use of the plant in traditional medicine and suggests further investigation.