Bioactive and Cytotoxic Potential of leaf extracts of Ficus asperifolia and Phyllantus amarus on brine shrimp

Plants are consumed for medicinal purposes. The characterisation of these plants is required to reveal potential beneficial properties and toxicity. Therefore, this study investigated the bioactive and cytotoxicity potential of Ficus asperifolia and Pyllanthus amarus, which rural dwellers in Nigeria consume. Phytochemical studies were performed on both plants' aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts, mineral analysis was performed using their leaf powders, and cytotoxicity was investigated using brine shrimps (artemia salina). The results showed that alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, anthocyanins, terpenoids, and triterpenes were substantially present in the aqueous extracts of F. asperiofolia and P. amarus. Significant amounts of phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, glycosides, terpenoids, and triterpenes were found in the ethanolic extracts of both plant leaves. Mineral analysis of the leaf powders showed that the major elements (K, Na, Mg, and Ca) were found in high amounts. Although the trace elements (Cr, Cu, Fe, and Pb) were found in minute quantities in both plants, they were within the permissible limits set by WHO. Although the lethality rate for cells treated with the ethanolic extracts of both plants was higher than those treated with the aqueous extracts, their LC50 (37.33-144.89µg/ml) at 24 hours of exposure indicate potential toxicity. Keywords: Brine shrimp, cytotoxicity assay, Ficus asperifolia, Leaf extracts, Phytochemical analysis, Pyllanthus amarus