Evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of Leucas aspera and Spilanthes paniculata

Plants are rich source of antibacterial agents, which could be exploited in human disease management. The main aim of this study was to find out the antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extract of Leucas aspera and the ethanol fraction of chloroform, methanol and ethanol extract of Spilanthes paniculata were studied. The fraction and extracts of S. paniculata showed potential antimicrobial activities against 14 strains of microorganisms whereas L. aspera did not show any antimicrobial response. For antimicrobial test, Disc diffusion technique was used against five Gram positive and eight Gram negative bacteria and one fungi. The zone of inhibition of microorganisms was measured in mm. In vitro cytotoxicity test was also studied with both of the plants by Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioassay and results illustrated significant (p<0.05) cytotoxicity against A. salina, that were expressed as LC50.