Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Cytotoxic Potential of Crude Extractives of Murraya paniculata (L.) Bark

The present study was accomplished to evaluate the crude methanolic extract of Murraya paniculata (L.) bark for in-vitro free radical scavenging activity by determination of hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, assay of nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power test. Besides, the petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extractives of bark were screened for brine shrimp lethality bio-assay to evaluate their cytotoxic potential. The results revealed the presence of pronounced antioxidant property as compared with ascorbic acid used as standard, as well as all the extractives of the plant showed strong lethality (LC₅₀: 0.84±0.19 μg/ml, LC₅₀: 1.17±0.03 μg/ml, LC₅₀: 1.31±0.16 μg/ml, respectively) against brine shrimp nauplii, as compared with positive control, Vincristine Sulphate (LC₅₀: 0.33±0.12 μg/ml).