Abstract:
Plant toxicity studies play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of herbal medicines,
evaluating potential risks associated with plants. The Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay
(BSLA) is a widely used and cost-effective preliminary screening tool for assessing the
toxicity of various substances, including plant extracts and compounds. Objectives of
this study were to explore innovative methods for assessing the toxicity of methanolic
extract of Aerva lanata using the BSLA for treatment of Urinary Tract Infections and to
provide a foundational understanding of the toxicity of Aerva lanata extract and its
potential implications for medicinal use. In-vitro experimental study was conducted at
KIU laboratory, Koswatte. A. lanata whole plant and its extraction were considered as
the sample used. Concentration of plant extract known to be the independent variable
and Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) mortality as an indicator of extract toxicity was
known to be the dependent variable. Data analysis was carried out using toxicity index
values (LC50) of the Aerva lanata extract were used to find out whether the extract is
toxic or non-toxic. Stock solution was prepared by dissolving 10 mg of plant extract
(soluble in water) in 1 ml of water. Concentrations of 1 mg/ ml, 100 µg/ ml, 10 µg/ ml
and 1 µg/ ml were prepared by serial dilution from the stock solution. 1 ml of prepared
solution was taken into the respect test tubes containing 10 live nauplii of A. salina and
1 ml of seawater. After 24 hours of incubation at 25 o C, the live nauplii were counted in
each test concentration of the tube. Live nauplii were move towards the light source.
The 1% dimethyl sulfoxide without extract was used as a negative control. The results
were recorded as the percentage of mortality after 24 hours and 50% Lethal
Concentration (LC50) values were calculated using Graph Pad prism 9 software. Then
it compared with the toxicity scale of LC 50 < 1000ug/ml is considered toxic and if LC
50 > 1000ug/ml considered as non-toxic. The resulting LC50 was 59.34µg/ml.
Therefore, A. lanata methanolic extract is considered to be toxic since LC 50 <
1000ug/ml; according to the brine shrimp lethality assay. The research on the
cytotoxicity of A. lanata using the brine shrimp lethality assay provided valuable
insights into the safety evaluation of medicinal plant extracts. The study effectively
fulfilled its objectives by demonstrating the potential utility of the brine shrimp lethality
assay in evaluating toxicity of A. lanata plant extract; lay the groundwork for further
comprehensive evaluations, offering promise in the development of safer and more
efficient herbal treatments in traditional medicine.
