Rahman and Sultana, IJPSR, 2011; Vol.

3 (1): 130-137 ISSN: 0975-8232

IJPSR (2011), Vol. 3, Issue 1 (Research Article)

Received on 08 August, 2011; received in revised form 15 December, 2011; accepted 29 December, 2011

ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF THE BARK OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA

Md. Shafikur Rahman* and Salma Sultana

Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, PO Box: 1213, Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Keywords: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and
Antimicrobial, cytotoxic effects of the bark of Terminalia arjuna. The plant part was
Antioxidant, extracted with methanol to yield the crude extract. The antimicrobial activity
Cytotoxicity, test of the methanol extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna was done using
Bark,
disc diffusion method. Standard antibiotic discs of Kanamycin (30 μg/disc)
Terminalia arjuna
were used as standard. The crude extract was used at a concentration of
Correspondence to Author:
500μg/disc. All the microorganisms were susceptible in various degrees to
Md. Shafikur Rahman the extract. The methanol extract was found to be moderately active against
Staphylococus aereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis Salmonella typhi,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy,
Southeast University, PO Box: 1213,
Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The zone of inhibition was
Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh found from 12 mm to 19 mm. The crude methanol extract was again studied
for investigating free radical scavenging potentiality and was subjected to
this study with 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The methanol extract
of the bark of the plant exhibited the potential free radical scavenging
activity (antioxidant effect) having IC50 value of 7.05 µg/ml. The cytotoxic
activity of the crude methanol extract was determined by Brine Shrimp
Lethality Bioassay. In this bioassay methanol extract showed positive results
and the LC50 was 6.163 µg/ml indicating that the some of the compounds of
the extract are biologically active. From this experiment, it was reveled that
the test sample showed different response at different concentrations. The
mortality rate of brine shrimp was found to be increased with the increased
concentrations of sample, and a plot of log of concentration versus percent
mortality on the graph produced an approximate linear correlation.

INTRODUCTION: The study of disease and their range of chemical compounds. Some of these
treatment has existed since the beginning of human compounds possessing a wide range of
civilization. Norman R. Farnsworth of the University of pharmacological activities are either impossible or to
Illinois declared that, for every disease that affect difficult to synthesize in the laboratory. A
mankind there is a treatment and cure occurring phytochemist uncovering these resources is producing
naturally on the earth. Plant kingdom is one of the useful materials for screening programs for drug
major search areas for effective works of recent days. discovery. Emergence of newer disease also leads the
The importance of plants in search of new drugs is scientists to go back to nature for newer effective
increasing with the advancements of medical sciences. molecules. Thus, plants are considered as the most
In fact, plants are the important sources of a diverse important and interesting subjects that should be
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 Rahman and Sultana, IJPSR, 2011; Vol. 3 (1): 130-137 ISSN: 0975-8232

explored for the discovery and development of newer Terminalia arjuna, a deciduous tree belonging to
and safer drug candidates. Combretaceae family, is of 20-30 m height and is found
ubiquitously in Bangladesh and India. The bark powder
Terminalia arjuna is a medicinal plant of the genus from Terminalia arjuna tree has been used in
Terminalia, widely used by ayurvedic physicians for its Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,500 years, primarily as a
curative properties in organic/functional heart cardiotonic. Improvement of cardiac muscle function
problems including angina, hypertension and deposits and subsequent improved pumping activity of the
in arteries. According to Ayurvedic texts, it is also very heart seem to be the primary benefits of the bark
useful in the treatment of any sort of pain due to falls, powder.
ecchymosis, spermatorrhoea and sexually transmitted
diseases such as gonorrhea. It is thought to be a useful It has been documented that bark extract from
astringent, cooling, aphrodisiac, cardio tonic, and is Terminalia arjuna, contains following compounds:
used for ulcers, leucorrhoea, diabetes, cough, tumor, acids such as arjundic acid, terrninic acid, glycosides-
excessive perspiration, asthma, inflammation and skin argentine arjunosides I-IV, strong antioxidants such as,
disorders etc 1. flavones, tannins, oligomeric proanthocyanidins and
minerals 8. However, not much is known about the
Arjuna bark (Terminallia arjuna) is thought to be specific biological activity of individual constituents.
beneficial for the heart. Powdered extract of the above The aim of this study was to determine the
drug provided very good results to the people suffering antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of
from Coronary heart diseases 2, 3. selected indigenous Bangladeshi medicinal plant like
Research suggests that Terminalia is useful in Terminalia arjuna.
alleviating the pain of angina pectoris and in treating MATERIALS AND METHODS:
heart failure and coronary artery disease. Terminalia
may also be useful in treating hypercholesterolemia 4. Extraction of the Plant Material: The plant powdered
The cardioprotective effects of Terminalia are thought materials (100gm) was extracted with 350ml methanol
to be caused by the antioxidant nature of several of in a flat bottom glass container, through occasional
the constituent flavonoids and oligomeric shaking and stirring for 20 days. The extract was then
proanthocyanidins, while positive inotropic effects may filtered through filter paper. The filtrate was
be caused by the saponin glycosides. In addition to its concentrated at 50oC under reduced pressure to afford
cardiac effects, Terminalia may also be protective a radish mass of extract.
against gastric ulcers, such as those caused by NSAIDs
5
. Antioxidant Activity Study: The free radical scavenging
activity (antioxidant capacity) of the plant extract on
Arjuna was introduced into the materia medica of the stable radical DPPH was estimated by the method
Ayurveda as a treatment for heart disease by of Brand-Williams 9. 2.0 ml of methanol solution of the
Vagbhata. It is used in the treatment and prevention of extract at different concentration were mixed with 3.0
cardiovascular disease, traditionally prepared as a milk ml of a DPPH in methanol solution (20μg/ml).
decoction, a process that renders the triterpenes more
bioavailable. In the Ashtanga Hrdaya, Vagbhata The antioxidant potentiality was assayed from the
mentions Arjuna in the treatment of wounds, bleaching of purple colored methanol solution of DPPH
hemorrhages and ulcers, applied topically as a powder. radical by the plant extract as compared to that of tert-
Typical dose is 3-5 grams of the powder twice daily 6. butyl-1-hydroxytoluene (BHT) by UV spectrophoto-
meter (Table 2). DPPH is used to evaluate the free
The bark powder of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous radical scavenging activity (antioxidant potentiality) of
plant has been found to have antianginal, decongestive the medicinal plants 10, 11.
and hypolipidemic effect. Terminalia arjuna showed
significant decrease in mitral regurgitation (IMR), DPPH is stable free radical potentially reactive with
improvement in E/A ratio and considerable reduction substance able to donate a hydrogen atom and thus
in anginal frequency 7. useful to asses’ antioxidant activity of specific

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 Rahman and Sultana, IJPSR, 2011; Vol. 3 (1): 130-137 ISSN: 0975-8232

compounds of extracts 12. Because of its odd electron, for screening and in the discovery of new bioactive
DPPH has a strong absorption band at 517 nm. natural products. This bioassay is indicative of
cytotoxicity and a wide range of pharmacological
Since this electron becomes paired in the presence of a activity of the compounds 14. Brine shrimp eggs are
free radical scavenger, the absorption decreases hatched in simulated sea water to get nauplii. Sample
stoichiometrically with respect to the number of solutions are prepared by dissolving the test materials
electrons taken up. This change in absorbance in pre-calculated amount of Dimethyl sulfoxide
produced by this reaction has been widely used to test (DMSO). Ten nauplii are taken in vials containing 5 ml
the ability of several molecules to act as free radical of simulated sea water. The samples of different
scavengers 12. The absorbance was measured by UV- concentrations are added to the pre-marked vials with
Spectro- photometer and methanol was taken for a micropipette. The assay is performed using three
extraction and as a solvent. Ascorbic acid was used as a replicates. Survivors are counted after 24 hours. These
standard (Table 2). data are processed in a simple program to estimate
2.0 ml of a methanol solution of the extract at different LC50 values.
concentrations (500 to 0.977μg/ml) were mixed with Preparation of Simulated Sea Water (Brine Water):
3.0 ml of a DPPH in methanol solution (20μg/ml). After Since the lethality test involves the culture of brine
30 minutes reaction period at room temperature in shrimp nauplii that is the nauplii should be grown in
dark place the absorbance was measured at 517 nm sea water. Sea water contains 3.8% of sodium chloride
against methanol as blank by UV spectrophotometer. & hence 3.8% salt solution should be needed for this
Inhibition of free radical (DPPH) in percent (I %) was purpose. Accordingly 3.8% of sodium chloride solution
calculated as follows: was made by dissolving sodium chloride (38 gm) in
I % = (1 – A sample/A blank) X 100, distilled water (to make 1000 ml solution) & was
filtered.
Where, A blank is the absorbance of the control
reaction (containing all reagents except the test Hatching of Shrimps: Sea water was kept in a small
material) and A sample is the absorbance of the tank & shrimps eggs were taken into the divided tank,
mixture of test sample and DPPH. Extract constant oxygen supply was carried out & constant
concentration providing 50% inhibition (IC 50) was temperature (37oC) was maintained. Two days were
calculated from the graph plotted as inhibition allowed for the shrimp to hatch and mature as nauplii.
percentage against extract concentration. BHT was These nauplii were taken for bioassay.
used as positive control. Preparation of Test Solutions: Measured amount (4.00
Cytotoxicity Study: Brine shrimp lethality bioassay 13 mg) of sample was dissolved in 100l of DMSO. A
is a rapid general bioassay method for the bioactive series of solutions of lower concentrations were
compound of the natural and synthetic origin. prepared by serial dilution with DMSO. From each of
Bioactive compounds are almost always toxic at high these test solutions 50l were added to pre-marked
dose. Pharmacology is simply toxicology at a higher glass test tubes containing 5 ml of seawater and 10
dose or toxicology is simply pharmacology at a lower shrimp nauplii. So, the final concentration of samples
dose. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay is a bench top in the test tubes were 400 g/ml, 200 g/ml, 100
bioassay method for evaluating anticancer, g/ml, 50 g/ml, 25 g/ml, 12.5 g/ml, 6.25 g/ml,
antimicrobial and pharmacological activities of natural 3.125 g/ml, 1.56 g/ml, 0.78125 g/ml for 10
products and it is a recent development in the bioassay dilutions.
for the bioactive compounds. By this method, natural
Preparation of Controls: Vincristine sulphate served as
product extracts, fractions as well as the pure
the positive control. 0.2 mg of vincristine sulphate was
compounds can be tested for their biosphere- activity.
dissolved in (DMSO) to get an initial concentration of
Here, in-vivo lethality in a simple zoological organism 20 g/ml from which serial dilutions were made using
(Brine shrimp nauplii) is used as a convenient monitor pure DMSO to get 10 g/ml, 5 g/ml, 2.5 g/ml, 1.25

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g/ml, 0.625 g/ml, 0.3125 g/ml, 0.15625 g/ml, exceeds the minimum concentration (MIC) for that
0.078125 g/ml, 0.0390 g/ml. particular organism.

The control groups containing 10 living brine shrimp In this method, measured amount of the test samples
nauplii in 5 ml simulated sea water received the are dissolved in definite volumes of solvent to give
positive control solutions. For negative control, 30 l of solutions of known concentration (µg/ml). Then, sterile
DMSO was added to each of three pre-marked glass filter paper discs (5 mm diameters) are impregnated
vials containing 5 ml of simulated sea water and 10 with known amounts of the test substances and dried.
shrimp nauplii. The test was considered valid as the The dried discs are placed on plates (Petri dishes,
negative control showed no rapid mortality rate. 120mm diameters) containing a suitable medium
(nutrient agar) seeded with the test organisms. These
Counting of nauplii and Analysis of Data: After 24 plates are kept at low temperature (4 oC) for 24 hours
hours, the vials were inspected using a magnifying to allow maximum diffusion.
glass and the numbers of survivors were counted. The
percent (%) mortality was calculated for each dilution. A number of events take place simultaneously which
The concentration-mortality data were analyzed includes-the dried discs absorb water from the agar
statistically (Table 4). The effectiveness or the medium and the material under test is dissolved. The
concentration-mortality relationship of plant product is test material diffuses from the discs to the surrounding
usually expressed as a median lethal concentration medium according to the physical law that controls the
(LC50) value. This represents the concentration of the diffusion of molecules through agar gel. There is a
chemical that produces death in half of the test gradual change of test material concentration on the
subjects after a certain exposure period. agar surrounding each disc.

Antimicrobial Activity Study: Any chemical substance The plates are then kept in an incubator (37 oC) for 12-
or biological agent that destroys or suppresses the 18 hours to allow the growth of microorganism. If the
growth of microorganism is called antimicrobial agent. test material has antimicrobial activity, it will inhibit
Antimicrobial screening of a crude extract or pure the growth of the microorganism, giving a clear,
compound isolated from natural sources is essential to distinct zone called “Zone of Inhibition”. The
ascertain its activity against various types of antimicrobial activity of the test agent is determined in
pathogenic organisms. term of millimeter by measuring the diameter of the
zone of inhibition. The greater the zone of inhibition,
The primary assay can be done in three ways as: the greater will be the activity of the test material
Diffusion method, Dilution method and Bioautographic against the test organism.
method.
Test Materials: Methanolic extract of the bark of
Among these methods, the disc diffusion method is Terminalia arjuna.
widely acceptable for the preliminary evaluation of
antimicrobial activity. Disc Diffusion is essentially a Test Organisms: Both Gram-positive and Gram-
qualitative or semi- qualitative test indicating the negative strains of bacteria we used as the test
sensitivity or resistance of microorganisms to the test organism to observe the antibacterial activity of the
materials. However no distinction between compounds. The bacterial strains used for this
bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity can be made by investigation are listed in the Table 1. These organisms
this method. were collected from the Microbiology research
laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Southeast
Disc Diffusion Method: Diffusion is based on the ability University, Dhaka.
of a drug to diffuse from a confined source through the
nutrient agar medium and creates concentration Culture Medium: The main requirement for the
gradient. If agar is seeded with a sensitive organism, a growth of bacteria was as follows-source of energy
zone of inhibition will result where the concentration such as (carbohydrate, protein and nucleic acid),
essential trace elements (Mg, Mn, Fe, and Co).

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Optimum pH of media and Optimum temperature for Preparation of Discs: Three types of discs were used
incubation for antibacterial screening. These were-Sample discs,
Standard discs and Blank/control discs.
Preparation of the Medium: The instant nutrient agar
media was accurately weighted and then reconstituted  Sample discs: Sterilized filters discs (5 mm in
with distilled water in a conical flask according to diameter) were taken in a blank Petri dish. Sample
specification (4% w/v). It was then heated with water solution of the desired concentration was applied
bath to dissolve the agar and a transparent solution on the discs with the help of a micropipette in an
was obtained. The prepared media was then aseptic condition. These discs were left for a few
transferred in 9 ml and 5 ml in a number of clean test minutes in aseptic condition for complete removal
tubes, respectively to prepare plates and slants. The of solvent.
slants were used for making subculture of
microorganism, which in turn use for sensitivity tests.  Standard discs: These were used to compare to the
antibacterial activity of test material. In our
The test tubes were then plugged with cotton and investigation Kanamycin (30 µg/disc) was used as a
sterilized in an autoclave at temperature of 126oC and reference.
pressure of Ib/sq inch for 15 minutes. In order to avoid
any type of contamination and cross contamination by  Blank discs: Only solvent was applied to the disc to
the test organisms the antimicrobial screening was determine the antibacterial effects of the solvent
done in Laminar Hood and all types of precautions used.
were highly maintained. UV light was switched on for
Application of the Test Samples: Standard Kanamycin
one hour before working in the Laminar Hood. Petri
(30 g/disc) discs were used as positive control to
dishes and other glasswares were sterilized by
ensure the activity of standard antibiotic against the
autoclaving at a temperature of 121oC and a pressure
test organisms as well as for comparison of the
of 15-lbs/sq. inch for 20 minutes. Micropipette tips,
response produced by the known antimicrobial agent
cotton, forceps, blank discs etc. were also sterilized.
with that of produced by the test sample. Blank discs
Preparation of Subculture: With the help of a were used as negative controls which ensure that the
inoculating loop, the test organisms were transferred residual solvents (left over the discs even after air-
from the pure culture to the agar slants in a laminar drying) and the filter paper were not active
airflow unit. The incubated slants were then incubated themselves.
at 37oC for 18-24 hours to ensure the growth of test
Determination of Antimicrobial Activity: After 24 hour
organisms. This culture was used for sensitivity test.
incubation, the antimicrobial activities of the test
Preparation of the Test Plate: The test organism was materials were determined by measuring the diameter
transferred from the subculture to the test tube of the zone of inhibition in millimeter with transparent
containing 9ml autoclaved medium with the help of an scale (Table 1).
incubating loop in aseptic area. The test tube was
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
shaken by rotation to get a uniform suspension of the
organism. The bacterial suspensions were immediately Result of Antibacterial Activity: The methanolic
transferred to the sterile Petri dishes in an aseptic area extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna was tested for
and were rotated several times, first clockwise and the antibacterial activity against a number of Gram
anticlockwise to ensure homogeneous dispersion of positive and Gram negative bacteria. Standard
the organism into the medium. The depth of media antibiotic discs of Kanamycin (30µg/disc) for bacterial
into each Petri dish was approximately 4mm. After species were used. In this antibacterial screening crude
plates were cooled to room temperature, they were extract was used at a concentration of 500µg/disc. The
stored in a refrigerator at 4oC. results of antibacterial activity of crude extract against
a number of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria
are given below (Table 1).

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TABLE 1: DIAMETER OF THE ZONE OF INHIBITION (mm) OF THE

PLANT EXTRACT
Kanamycin
Name of Bacteria Methanolic extract
(30µg/disc)
Gram positive
Staphylococcus aereus 19±1 25±1
Bacillus megaterium 15.33 ± 0.58 30.33 ±0.58
Bacillus subtilis 15 ±1 32 ± 1
Sarcina lutea 13.33 ±1.53 28.33±0.58
Gram negative
Salmonella paratyphi 14.67 ± 0.58 30± 1
Salmonella typhi 16.67± 0.58 32.33 ± 0.58
Escherichia coli 16.33 ± 0.58 31.67 ±1.53
Shigella dysenteriae 13 ±1 28±1
Sheigella boydii 13.33 ±.058 35.67 ± 1.53
Vibro parahemolytica 12 ± 1 26.33 ± 0.58
Vibro minius 14.67±0.58 30 ± 1 FIG. 1: EFFECT OF CRUDE METHANOL BARK EXTRACT OF
Pseudomonas auregonosa 15.33 ±1.53 30.67±0.58 TERMINALIA ARJUNA AGAINST DPPH
The test was done in triplicate. Diameter of the zone of inhibitions
is given here as mean ± standard deviation. The control disc TABLE 3: CALCULATION OF THE LC50 VALUE OF ASCORBIC ACID
containing the solvent had no zone of inhibition, so their data AGAINST DPPH
were omitted from the above data. Conc. of Absorbance of Absorbance of % IC50
Ascorbic Acid Ascorbic Acid blank inhibition (µg/ml)
DISCUSSION: From the above data, it is evident that 500 0.053±0 0.42 86.75
250 0.099±0.001 0.42 75.25
methanol extract has shown 13-19 mm zone of
125 0.0154±0.002 0.42 61.5
inhibition against mentioned gram positive bacteria 62.5 0.166±0 0.42 58.5
and 12-17 mm zone of inhibition against mentioned 31.25 0.179±0.001 0.42 55.25
6.964
gram negative bacteria. So we can say that some 15.625 0.198±0.001 0.42 50.5
7.812 0.207±0 0.42 48.25
compounds are present in the methanolic extract of 3.906 0.213±0.002 0.42 46.75
the bark of Terminalia arjuna that are responsible for 1.953 0.227±0.002 0.42 43.25
this antimicrobial activity. 0.976 0.238±0.001 0.42 40.5
The test was done in triplicate. The absorbances of Ascorbic acid
Result of Antioxidant Activity: The antioxidant activity are given here as mean ± standard deviation
(DPPH radical scavenging activity) of Terminalia arjuna
is depicted in Figure 1. This activity was increased by
increasing concentration of the sample. The IC 50 value
of the crude methanol extract of the bark of the plant
was found to be 7.058 μg/ml (Table 2) while the IC50
value of the reference standard ascorbic acid was
found to be 6.964 μg/ml (Table 3).
TABLE 2: LC50 VALUE CALCULATION OF THE CRUDE METHANOL
EXTRACT OF THE BARK OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA AGAINST DPPH
Conc. of Absorbance of Absorbance % IC50
extract extract of blank inhibition (µg/ml)
200 0.061± 0.00058 0.405 84.93
100 0.063± 0.001 0.405 84.44
50 0.076± 0.001 0.405 81.23
25 0.076± 0.001 0.405 80.99 FIG. 2: EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID AGAINST DPPH
12.5 0.110± 0.002 0.405 72.84
7.058
6.25 0.122± 0.002 0.405 69.87 DISCUSSION: In antioxidant activity test, the methanol
3.125 0.185± 0.00252 0.405 54.32
1.56 0.262±0.002 0.405 35.31 extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna exhibited
0.78 0.295± 0.00351 0.405 27.16 significant antioxidant activities with the IC 50 value of
0.39 0.299± 0.001 0.405 26.17
7.05 µg/ml. So we can say that this extract contains
The test was done in triplicate. The absorbance of extract are
given here as mean ± standard deviation
some active principles which are responsible for this
free radical scavenging activity.

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Result of Cytotoxicity: In this bioassay, methanol TABLE 5: EFFECT OF VINCRISTINE SULPHATE ON BRINE SHRIMP NAUPLII
Conc.(C) % Mortality
extract showed positive results indicating that the (µg/ml)
LogC
(Vincristine Sulphate)
LC50 (µg/ml)
compounds are biologically active. From this 20 1.3010 100±0
experiment, it was revealed that each of the test 10 1 90±0
5 0.6989 86.67±5.78
samples showed different mortality rates at different 2.5 0.3979 83.33±5.78
concentrations (Table 4). 1.25 0.0969 73.33±5.78
0.339
0.625 -0.2014 60±0
The mortality rate of brine shrimp was found to be 0.312 - 0.5051 46.67±5.78
0.156 - 0.8061 36.67±5.78
decreased with the increase of concentration of
0.078 - 1.1072 30±0
samples, and a plot of log of concentration versus 0.039 -1.4089 20±0
percent morality on the graph produced an The test was done in triplicate. The % Mortality is given here as
approximate linear correlation between them (Figure mean ± standard deviation
3). From the graph, the concentration at which 50%
mortality (LC50) of the brine shrimp nauplii occurred Cytotoxic effect
Cytotoxic effectofofVincristine sulphate
Vinblastine sulphate
was determined and the LC50 for the crude methanol
extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna was found to 120 y = 30.466x + 64.294
be 6.163µg/ml. 100 2
R = 0.9797

% Mortality
TABLE 4: RESULT OF CYTOTOXICITY OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF THE 80 Series1
BARK OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA
60 Linear
Conc.(C) % Mortality
LogC LC50 (µg/ml) (Series1)
(µg/ml) (Methanol extract) 40
400 2.602 100±0 20
200 2.301 73.33±5.78
100 2.000 66.67±5.78 0
50 1.699 63.33±5.78 -2 -1 Log
0C 1 2
25 1.398 60±0
6.163 FIG. 4: EFFECT OF VINCRISTINE SULPHATE ON BRINE SHRIMP NAUPLII
12.5 1.097 56.67±5.78
6.25 0.796 50±0
DISCUSSION: In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the
3.125 0.495 46.67±5.78
1.562 0.194 40±0
methanol extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna
0.781 -0.107 33.33±5.78 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity with the LC 50
The test was done in triplicate. The % Mortality is given here as value of 6.163µg/ml. So from this result, we can say
mean ± standard deviation that the methanol extract of the bark of Terminalia
arjuna contains some compounds which are cytotoxic
up to a certain level of concentration.

CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the

methanol extract of Terminalia arjuna has got intense
antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity and
may have potential use in medicine. From the previous
studies and our current investigation it may be
concluded that further study can be carried out to
investigate the individual bioactive principles.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors thank the

University of Dhaka, for helping on the microbiological
FIG. 3: EFFECT OF BARK OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA ON BRINE SHRIMP works, and Southeast University, for providing
NAUPLII required facilities to carry out this research work.

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Molecular Biology. 1980; 2: 636

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