Preliminary phytochemical screening, antibacterial activity and cytotoxic activity of leaves extract of Carissa carandas Linn.

Abstract

Due to drug resistance to microbes, the necessity of investigation of medicinal plant for antibacterial activity is very crucial. Besides, medicinal plants may be a good starting point for discovering new chemotherapeutics. The aim of the present study comprehends investigation of preliminary phytochemical screening, antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of 60% ethanolic extracts of Carissa carandas Linn. leaves. Phytochemical screening was accomplished by employing standard methods. Antibacterial activity was investigated by the use of disc diffusion method and cytotoxic activity was investigated using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The antibacterial activity of the extract was very poor. But the cytotoxic activity of the extract was good compared to the standard drug vincristine sulphate.