The cytotoxic, phytotoxic and insecticidal potential of Senecio glaucus L.

Abstract

Senecio glaucus is an annual herbaceous species, erect, branched and grows in sandy soils. In the present study the cytotoxic, phytotoxic and insecticidal activities of methanolic and ethanolic extract of leaves, stem and roots of Senecio glaucus were carried out. The cytotoxic activity activity was evaluated by brine shrimp lethality bioassay while phytotoxic activity was investigated by Lemna minor bioassay. The results of cytotoxicity revealed that among all the plant parts, root methanolic extract caused maximum (90 %) mortality of brine shrimps at 1000 µg/ml. In phytotoxic activity highest (76%) inhibition of Lemna minor fronds was caused by leaves methanolic extract at 1000 µg/ml. The insecticidal activity showed that the leaves methanolic extract caused maximum mortality (97 %) of Tribolium castaneum at 1000 µg/ml. It was concluded that the plant had significant cytotoxic, phytotoxic and insecticidal potential.