Phytochemical and cytotoxic analysis of <i>Pharthenium hysterophosis</i> selected from District Bannu, Pakistan

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus is a well known medicinal plant widely used traditionally in the treatment of various diseases and as a constituent of various drugs, and in phytotherapy. The current study was designed to investigate the phytochemical screening and cytotoxic capacity of methanolic and n-hexane extract of P. hysterophorus. Quantitative analysis of P. hysterophorus showed maximum quantity of flavonoids in methanolic extract of P. hysterophorus which turned down gradually in n-hexane extract of P. hysterophorus due to the decrease in organic solvents polarity. Similar results were also observed for saponins and tannins during this investigation. The highest quantity of alkaloids was recorded in the methanolic extract of P. hysterophorus when compared to n-hexane extract. The extracts also showed maximum cytotoxic potential in various concentrations of n-hexane and methanolic extract of P. hysterophorus. The results revealed that P. hysterophorus contains a remarkable cytotoxic activity due to the presence of bioactive constituents.

Key words: Parthenium hysterophorus, cytotoxic, phytochemical screening.