title: Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of three bitter plants enhydra fluctuans, andrographis peniculata and clerodendrum viscosum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, three important medicinal plants (Enhydra fluctuans Lour, Clerodendrum viscosum Vent and Andrographis peniculata Wall) of Bangladesh were investigated to analyze their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities against some pathogenic microorganisms and Artemia salina (brine shrimp nauplii).
  
  
  METHODS
  The coarse powder material of leaves of each plant was extracted separately with methanol and acetone to yield methanol extracts of leaves of Enhydra fluctuans (MLE), Clerodendrum viscosum (MLC) and Andrographis peniculata (MLA), and acetone extracts of leaves of Enhydra fluctuans (ALE), Clerodendrum viscosum (ALC) and Andrographis peniculata (ALA). The disc diffusion method and the method described by Meyer were used to determine the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of each plant extract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the test samples, MLE and ALE showed comparatively better antimicrobial activity against a number of bacteria and fungi with inhibition zones in the range of 06-15 mm and according to the intensity of activity, the efficacy against microorganisms were found in the order of Enhydra fluctuans > Andrographis peniculata > Clerodendrum viscosum. In cytotoxicity assay, all samples were found to be active against brine shrimp nauplii (Artemia salina) and ALA produced lowest LC50 value (7.03 μg/ml).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enhydra fluctuans and Andrographis peniculata possesses significant antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.
authors: M Ruhul
authors: MR
authors: Amin
authors: Ripon
authors: R
authors: Mondol
authors: M Rowshanul
authors: MR
authors: Habib
authors: M Tofazzal
authors: MT
authors: Hossain
keywords: Andrographis peniculata; Antimicrobial; Clerodendrum viscosum; Cytotoxic; Enhydra fluctuans