[01] Mallik Mahbuba Biva, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. [02] Sadia Afreen Chowdhury, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. [03] Most. Nazma Parvin, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Boerhaavia diffusa belonging to the family of the Nyctaginaceae is one of the renowned medicinal plants used to treat large number of human ailments. The present study deals with the investigations of phytochemical analysis and evaluation of the cytotoxocity, anthelmintic and analgesic activities of methanol extract of the plant. The results of preliminary phytochemical screenings revealed that the extract contains alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, gums, carbohydrates and glycosides etc. The cytotoxic activity of plant extract on brine shrimp napulii increase in mortality with increased concentration which suggests the presence of possible antitumor, antibacterial and pesticidal agents. The anthelmintic activity was performed by observing the time of paralysis and the time of death of earthworms Pheretima posthuma compared with the standard drug, albendazole which confirmed the presence of significant anthelmintic activity of B. diffusa. The analgesic potential of the extract was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing response, tail immersion and hot plate test to understand the central analgesic activity in mice (Swiss albino mice) at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses. The results of these tests showed potential analgesic activity of the extract which is comparable to the standard drug, diclofenac Na. Thus, the obtained results provide a support for the use of this plant for medicinal purposes.

Boerhaavia diffusa, Albendazole, Diclofenac Na, Cytotoxic Activity, Anthelmintic Activity, Analgesic Activity

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