Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic Potential and Elemental Analysis of Filago desertorum Whole Plant

*Corresponding Author:

Nadia Mushtaq
Department of Biotechnology
Faculty of Biological Sciences
University of Science and Technology
Bannu 28100, Pakistan
E-mail: nadiabnu@yahoo.com

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the ethanolic extract of Filago desertorum for its probable antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity potential and to assess its elemental analysis. The ethanolic extract showed maximum 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (68.48 %), 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (71.32 %) and hydrogen peroxide (69.44 %) scavenging activity as compared to ascorbic acid (reference) at the concentration of 250 μg/ml. The maximum total antioxidant activity (71.53 %) and reducing power (0.197) were observed at a concentration of 250 μg/ml. The extract showed maximum percent inhibition against fungal strain Aspergillus fumigates (90 %) and bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus (10 mm). The maximum percent mortality (70 %) was determined at 250 μg/ml concentration with half maximal inhibitory concentration of 127.00 μg/ml. Elemental analysis showed that the sodium (92.936 mg/ml) was found to be present in large amount while zinc (0.060 mg/g) was found present in low concentration but cobalt was not detected. Based on the current results, it can be concluded that Filago desertorum has maximum inhibitory, antimicrobial, cytotoxic potential and therefore can lead to antioxidant, anticancer and antibiotics agents.

Keywords

Hydrogen peroxide, Artemia salina, Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus fumigates

Regardless of unbelievable advancement in synthetic medicines, plants build a significant contribution to the pharmaceutical industries[1]. Plants based medicinal products are gaining attention by the researchers because they are harmless, simply accessible, profitable, adequate and are a promising source of the presence of valuable minerals[2]. Many pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan are researching medicinal plants to explore their therapeutic potential for designing new drugs. Plant based natural products are either pure composites or crude extract. Herbalists though believe that the influence of a plant lies in the interaction of all its constituents[3]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 % of people of the world depend on crude plant extract and their active constituents to maintain their primary health and to treat many diseases[4,5]. Various reports have demonstrated the plant based natural products as potential scavengers of numerous free radicals[6], therefore, the researchers are making efforts to obtain plant based antioxidants which have no or fewer side effects. The antioxidant is a compound that can retard the oxidation of macromolecules or restrain the cell damage done by reactive oxygen species[7]. Most of the active antioxidant ingredients are flavonoids, anthocyanins, flavones, isoflavones, catechins, coumarins, lignans and isocatechins[8]. The antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress by either inhibition of free radical’s production or by increasing the antioxidant defence[9].

The plant extract has been used traditionally to cure several contagious diseases caused by protozoa, bacteria, viruses and fungi[10]. The substances that may either restrain the development of bacteria or destroy them are thought to be a good source for designing and developing new antimicrobial drugs[11]. Several reports are available showing in vivo and in vitro efficiency of plant extract against human, animal and plant microbes that result in the initiation of infections[12]. A few synthetic drugs are approved for the treatment of many diseases in plant and human, however, currently, the use of some plant derived products has been emerged to cut back the spread of causative microorganisms[13].

Trace elements have a therapeutic and restorative role against different diseases[14]. Mineral rudiments through constructing a bit quantity of entire chemical composition and mass of the body of the plant materials, however, their anatomical significance cannot be neglected in medicine activities and metabolic system[15].

The Artemia salina lethality analysis was thought to be an acceptable model for introductory recognition of antitumor and toxicant activity[16]. The Artemia salina evaluation is very helpful for the separation of essential composites from the plant against cancer[17].

Filago desertorum (F. desertorum) belong to family Composite. It is a commonly wild annual desert plant that grows in sand and prefers sunny or semi-shady places for its growth. This plant is distributed in Canary Island, Southwest Asia and Southern Spain to North Africa through the Middle East to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India[18].

Materials and Methods

Plant collection, identification and extract preparation:

The F. desertorum plant specimen was collected from a remote region of Bannu District. The plant was identified and authenticated by Professor Dr. Abdu-ur-Rehman at the Department of Botany, Government Post Graduate College Bannu and the Voucher specimens were deposited in the herbarium of Department of Botany University of Science and Technology Bannu Laboratory under the number Fd-F-1. The collected plant samples were carefully washed by tap water followed by distilled water and was dried under shade. The dried whole plant material (roost, leaves, shoots, stem, fruit and flower) was ground into a fine powder by electric mixing and stored for further use in an airtight jar. The fine powder (50 g) of whole (roost, leaves, shoots, stem, fruits and flowers) plant was soaked in 500 ml ethanol in a conical flask for fifteen days while shaking occasionally. The filtrate solution was concentrated at 15° and high pressure by rotary evaporator. The material obtained was permitted to dry at room temperature and was stored in a refrigerator for further several activities.

In vitro antioxidant assays:

2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay: The DPPH free radical inhibition activity was done following a standard procedure[19]. Stock solution of DPPH was prepared by dissolving 3 mg DPPH in 100 ml ethanol and then stored at 20°. The solution was further diluted with ethanol with absorbance range between 1-0.4 at 517 nm by spectrophotometer. Plant extract and Ascorbic acid stock solution preparation: 5 mg plant extract and Ascorbic acid were separately dissolved in 5 ml ethanol. Preparation of various concentrations by C₁V₁=C₂V₂: To prepare 50 µg/ml concentrations, pipette out 50 µl from the stock solution (5 mg/5 ml) by micropipette and mixed with 950 µl ethanol. Similarly, do for 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/ml. Ethanolic DPPH solution was used as a control. 200 µl extract of F. desertorum at different concentration (50 µg/ml-250 µg/ml) and 2 ml DPPH solution was added in a test tube and reserved in the dark at room temperature for 20 min and absorbance was taken at 517 nm spectrophotometer (SP-300 Japan). The experiment was performed in triplicates while Ascorbic acid was taken as standard. The percent inhibition was measured by the following equation:

Scavenging (percentage) inhibition=[(control–test sample)/(control)]×100

2,2'-Azino-Bis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay: ABTS inhibition activity was evaluated by standard procedure[20]. Stock solution of ABTS was prepared by mixing ABTS (7 mM) with potassium persulfate solution (2.45 mM) and was kept in a dark for 24 h to produce a dark colored solution. The ABTS solution was further diluted by ethanol to obtain an absorbance (<1 and >0.4) at 745 nm using the spectrophotometer. Plant extract and Ascorbic acid stock solution preparation: 5 mg plant extract and Ascorbic acid were separately dissolved in 5 ml ethanol. Preparation of various concentrations by C₁V₁= C₂V₂: To prepare 50 µg/ml concentrations, pipette out 50 µl from the stock solution (5 mg/5ml) by micropipette and mixed with 950 µl ethanol. Similarly, do for 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/ml. Ethanolic ABTS solution was used as a control. ABTS inhibition capability was estimated by mixing 200 μl of extract (50 µg/ml-250 µg/ml) at varying concentrations with 2 ml of ABTS solution in test tubes and incubated for 6 min. After 6 min the absorbance was taken at 745 nm. The experiment was performed thrice.

Phosphomolybdate (PMA) assay (total antioxidant assay): To determine the PMA, the phosphomolybdenum modified method[21] was used. Plant extract and Ascorbic acid stock solution preparation: 5 mg plant extract and Ascorbic acid were separately dissolved in 5 ml ethanol. Preparation of various concentrations by C₁V₁= C₂V₂: To prepare 50 µg/ml concentrations, pipette out 50 µl from the stock solution (5 mg/5 ml) by micropipette and mixed with 950 µl ethanol. Similarly, do for 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/ml. Briefly, 0.1 ml of different concentrations (50 µg/ml to 250 µg/ml) of plant extract was mixed with 1 ml of reagent solution (0.6 M sulphuric acid, 28 mM sodium phosphate and 4 mM ammonium molybdate) in a test tube, capped with aluminium foil and incubated at 95° in a water bath for 30 min. Against blank, the absorbance of the mixture was measured at 765 nm. Ascorbic acid was used as standard. The assay was performed in triplicates.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging assay: 50mM H₂O₂ solution was prepared in phosphate buffer (50mM, pH 7.4). Plant extract and Ascorbic acid stock solution preparation: 5 mg plant extract and Ascorbic acid were separately dissolved in 5 ml ethanol. Preparation of various concentrations by C₁V₁=C₂V₂: To prepare 50 µg/ml concentrations, pipette out 50 µl from the stock solution (5 mg/5 ml) by micropipette and mixed with 950 µl ethanol. Similarly, do for 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/ml. Briefly, 1.5 ml of extract solution at different concentrations (50–250 µg/ml) was added to 0.6 ml of hydrogen peroxide solution in a silver foil capped test tube and incubated for 15 min. After incubation, the absorbance was recorded at 230 nm against a blank solution. Ascorbic acid was used as a standard. The experiment was performed three times[22].

Reducing power assay: Plant extract and Ascorbic acid stock solution preparation: 5 mg plant extract and Ascorbic acid were separately dissolved in 5 ml ethanol. Preparation of various concentrations by C₁V₁=C₂V₂: To prepare 50 µg/ml concentrations, pipette out 50 µl from the stock solution (5 mg/5 ml) by micropipette and mixed with 950 µl ethanol. Similarly, do for 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/ml. 500 µl potassium ferricyanide (10 mg/ml), 500 µl phosphate buffer (0.2 M, pH 6.6) and 500 µl extract from concentrations (50 µg/ml to 250 µg/ml) were mixed and incubated at 60° for 30 min in a water bath and then added 500 µl trichloroacetic acid (0.1 g/l). 1 ml from the above solution was mixed with 1 ml of Distilled Water (D.H₂O) and 0.2 ml of 0.1 % (w/v) ferric chloride in a tube and incubated for 15 min. After 15 min reaction, the absorbance was taken at 700 nm. The absorbance of the reaction solution increases with the increase of concentrations shows a high reducing power. The experiment was performed 3 times[23].

In vitro antimicrobial assay:

Antibacterial assay: Various concentrations of F. desertorum extract were screened by applying agar well diffusion method[24] with some modifications against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgarus, Micrococcus luteus and Klebsiella pneumonia. Briefly, nutrient agar plates were prepared and incubated for 24 h for the aseptic test. On the sterile nutrient agar plates, 24 h old culture from the nutrient broth was spread on it by sterile cotton swab to make a bacterial lawn. Six wells were made in each plate using a sterile 6 mm cork borer. From the extract (10 mg/ml, 20 mg/ml, 30 mg/ml and 40 mg/ml), Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) and Levofloxacin 100 µl was added to the respective well and incubated at 37° for 24 h. In this assay, DMSO solvent was used as a vehicle control. After 24 h the inhibition zone was measured in comparison with positive control in mm. Levofloxacin was used as a positive control (reference).

Antifungal assay: The screening of different concentrations of ethanolic extract for antifungal activity was evaluated by the tube dilution method[25] with modifications. Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium was prepared by dissolving it in distilled water and then stirred with a magnetic stirrer until complete dissolution. 5 ml media was added to the respective test tubes and then autoclaved at 121° for 15 min using a moist steam sterilization method. After sterilization 67 μl of DMSO extract (10, 20 and 30 mg/ ml) and terbinafine were added to the non-solidified test tubes. The tubes were then allowed to solidify in a slanting position at room temperature. Each tube was inoculated with a 4 mm diameter piece of inoculums removed from a 5 or 7 d old culture of fungi. All test tubes were incubated for 5-7 d at 28-30º temperature. Humidity (40 % to 50 %) was controlled by placing an open pan of water in the incubator. Terbinafine was used as a standard (reference). DMSO was used as vehicle control in this experiment. On d 7, the visible non-mycelia linear growth inhibitions of fungal species were examined in comparison to the drug.

Elemental analysis: For elemental analysis, the standard protocol[26] was used to prepare the sample by wet digestion method. 1 g plant powder mixed with 10 ml nitric acid (67 %) and was kept for 24 h at room temperature. 4 ml perchloric acid (67 %) was added to the above mixture and kept for 30 min and then heated at 60° on hot plates to obtained 1 ml apparent solution. After cooling, added 100 ml D.H₂O and filtered through Whatman # 42 filter paper and was stored for elemental analysis in airtight bottles[27]. This filtrate solution was used as a stock solution. To analyze the sample in triplicate advanced technology instruments were used such as flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Polarized Zeeman Hitachi 2000), flame photometer (Jenway PFP7, UK). A stock solution of each metal was further diluted for standard calibrations[28].

In vitro cytotoxic assay:

Cytotoxic activity of the extract was assessed following the standard procedure[29] with some modifications. 5 mg plant extract and Ascorbic acid were separately dissolved in 5 ml ethanol. Preparation of various concentrations by C₁V₁ =C₂V₂ : To prepare 50 µg/ml concentrations, pipette out 50 µl from the stock solution (5 mg/5 ml) by micropipette and mixed with 950 µl ethanol. Similarly, do for 100, 150, 200 and 250 μg/ml. 2.8 g ocean salt (Sigma) was dissolved in D.H₂O (100 ml) with continues mixing for 2 h. Regarding two grams of Artemia salina eggs was aerated during 1 l capability beaker instrumentally (separating funnel) containing ocean salt resolution. Once 24 h of incubation at room temperature (25-29°), using continuous lighting of visible radiation lamp, pink-colored small larvae were hatched. 0.5 ml from various concentrations was taken in the test tubes. These test tubes were allowed for entire vaporization of solvent (ethanol) at 45° for 24 h. Once the entire solvent (ethanol) was vaporized then 3 ml saline (ocean salt) was poured in each tube. 3 ml saline solution was taken within the separating tubing for control. 10 live brine shrimps were added to each tube and then the setup could stay for 24 h. The experiment was performed in triplicates. The survival larvae were counted after 24 h. Once after 24 h the percent mortality was computed by the subsequent equation.

Percentage Mortality=Survival in control–Survival in test/Survival in control×100

Statistical analysis:

The data were expressed as the mean±standard deviation of three replications. The analysis was performed using statistics 9.0 software. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the least significant difference test was used to evaluate the possible difference among the means at p<0.05. The 50 % inhibition was calculated by linear regression analysis in Microsoft Excel 2007. The Lethal Concentration 50 % (LC₅₀) value at 95 % confidence interval was determined after 24 h using the probit analysis method[30].

Results and Discussion

DPPH radical scavenging activity of various concentrations of an extract of F. desertorum was denoted in fig. 1. All concentrations showed different levels of DPPH radical scavenging activity over the range of 50-250 µg/ml and Half-Maximal Inhibitory Concentration (IC₅₀) value was found to be 165.12 µg/ ml respectively. 250 µg/ml concentration exhibited maximum DPPH radical scavenging activity as compared to other concentrations. The extract radical scavenging activity was effective in the order 250 µg/ml>200 µg/ml>150 µg/ml>100 µg/ml>50 µg/ ml. Ascorbic acid was used as standards at concentration of 50-250 µg/ml and the IC₅₀ value was found to be 95.29 µg/ml respectively. Standard and plant extract showed a dose dependent inhibition of DPPH radicals. The low IC₅₀ value is indicative of high DPPH inhibitory activity. The F. desertorum extract and standard (Ascorbic acid) concentrations showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in DPPH scavenging activity.

The F. desertorum extract showed maximum ABTS radicals scavenging activity (fig. 2). There was a steady increase in the percentage inhibition of the ABTS radicals by the F. desertorum extract and maximum inhibition was achieved above 250 µg/ml of extract. F. desertorum extract (IC₅₀, 147.21 µg/ml) was less active than standard Ascorbic acid (IC₅₀, 97.35 µg/ ml) and was significantly different from Ascorbic acid (p>0.05). The F. desertorum extract showed a percentage inhibition of less than 80 % at the highest concentration (250 µg/ml). Significant (p<0.05) scavenging of ABTS radicals were evident at all the tested concentrations of F. desertorum extract and standard (Ascorbic acid) compounds (50-250 µg/ml).

In the presence of extract, molybdenum (VI) is reduced to molybdenum (V) and forms a green-coloured phosphomolybdenum V complex, which shows maximum absorbance at 765 nm. Fig. 3 depicts the total antioxidant capacity of different concentrations of ethanol extract of F. desertorum that can be ranked in the order of 250 µg/ml>200 µg/ml>150 µg/ml >100 µg/ml>50 µg/ml. The IC₅₀ value of antioxidant capacity for the plant extract was 107.02 µg/ml, while for the Ascorbic acid was 52.82 µg/ml, respectively (Table 1). The obtained result show that the 250 µg/ml extract concentration has the notable antioxidant ability as compared to standard (Ascorbic acid) antioxidant seems to open a possibility for the exploitation of cost- effective natural antioxidants. The F. desertorum extract and standard (Ascorbic acid) concentrations showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in total antioxidant capacity.

Table 1: Antioxidant Effect (IC₅₀) on DPPH Radicals, ABTS Radical, Phosphomolybdate Scavenging Capacity and Hydrogen Peroxide Radical of Ethanol Extract F. desertorum and Ascorbic Acid

The scavenging ability of F. desertorum and ascorbic acid are shown in fig. 4. H₂O₂ radical scavenging ability of extract of F. desertorum and ascorbic acid at concentration of 250 µg/ml were 69.44 % and 85.55 % respectively. The IC₅₀ values of F. desertorum and ascorbic acid were found to be 137.76 µg/ml and 87.93 µg/ml respectively. The IC₅₀ value indicated that plant extract is a better hydroxyl radical scavenger, which quite comparable with the standard Ascorbic acid (Table 1). In our study, the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was increased with the increase of extract concentration. The F. desertorum extract and standard (Ascorbic acid) concentrations were not showed significant difference (p<0.05) in H₂O₂ scavenging activity.

Fig. 5 represents the reductive capabilities of various extract concentrations of F. desertorum. Like antioxidant activity, the reducing power of the extract increases with the increase in concentration. When compared to other concentrations 250 µg/ml exhibited highest reducing power ability. Reducing power ability of the five extract concentrations was found to increase in the order 250 µg/ml>200 µg/ml>150 µg/ml>100 µg/ml>50 µg/ml. The extracts showed good reducing power ability in a dose dependent manner which was comparable to that of standard (Ascorbic acid). The antioxidant principles present in the extract F. desertorum caused the reduction of ferric ion/ferricyanide complex to the ferrous form and thus proved the reducing power ability. F. desertorum extract (0.197) was less active than Ascorbic acid (0.265) and was not significantly different from Ascorbic acid (p>0.05). Increasing absorbance indicates an increase in reductive ability.

The results of these experiments revealed that crude ethanolic extract of F. desertorum exhibited remarkable antibacterial activities against both Gram-negative (Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus) and Gram-positive bacteria (Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus vulgaris) at a concentration of 10-40 mg/ml (Table 2). Zones of inhibition ranged from 4-10 mm for the ethanol extract. The highest activity with an Inhibition Zone Diameter (IZD) of 10 mm was against Staphylococcus aureus and the least antibacterial activity was against Proteus vulgaris with the zone of inhibition of 6 mm diameter. The antibiotic Levofloxacin (broad spectrum antibiotic) yielded zones of inhibition that ranged between 10-25 mm respectively.

Different Ethanolic extract concentrations (10 mg/ ml, 20 mg/ml and 30 mg/ml) of F. desertorum were tested for their efficacy against Aspergillus fumigates, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. All extract concentrations were found to inhibit the growth of selected fungi. Zones of growth percent inhibition ranged from 20-90 % for the ethanolic extract. The extract showed maximum growth percent inhibition against Aspergillus fumigates (90 %) and minimum against Aspergillus niger (70 %) at the concentration of 30 mg/ml (Table 3). Terbinafine (positive control) showed 100 % growth inhibition.

Table 2: Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of F. desertorum

Table 3: Antifungal Activity of F. desertorum Ethanolic Extract

Elemental analysis of F. desertorum showed that the Na (92.936 mg/ml) was found to be present in large amount while zinc (0.060 mg/g) was present in low concentration but cobalt was not detected. The distribution levels of the elements analyzed and quantified in the present study follows the order Na>Ca>Mg>Cr>Fe>Mn>Cd>Cu>Zn. The elemental analysis of F. desertorum showed variation among different elements concentration (Table 4).

Table 4: Elemental Analysis of F. desertorum Whole Plant

F. desertorum extract evaluated to show good brine shrimp lethality activity. In the present study, extract toxicity was found to be concentration dependent manner. Higher toxicity was recorded for high concentrations of the plant extracts and the degree of toxicity was found to be directly proportional to the concentration of the extract. Maximum mortalities (70 %) took place at the concentration of 250 μg/ml and least mortalities (30 %) were at 50 μg/ml concentration with IC₅₀ value 127.00 µg/ml (Table 5).

Table 5: Cytotoxicity Activity of F. desertorum Ethanolic Extract

Nature is a rich source of medical metabolites and some of them are found in plants. Extracts, which are rich in flavonoid metabolites, through decreasing oxidative stress, protect cells[31]. Phenols and polyphenols are found in many foods and have great antioxidant effects[32]. The extract of F. desertorum seems to be reactive against DPPH, ABTS and H₂O₂ free radicals. The ethanolic extract also showed a maximum total antioxidant and reducing power activity. The IC₅₀ value was calculated which was different in all the activities (Table 1). The lower IC₅₀ value of the plant extract showed remarkable antioxidant activity. Our results showed that the antioxidant activity may be due to presences of phenol and flavonoid compounds. The results are following the results of Kanatt[33] to reported mint (Mentha) extract have many phenol (caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic and neo chlorogenic) and flavonoid compounds (quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin and Myricetin) and shows a good antioxidative activity. Shukla[34] reported that strong antioxidative activity of extracts is related to the high levels of existing phenols and flavonoids in extracts. Wojdyło et al.[35] identified major phenolic acids in 32 species were caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic and neo chlorogenic, while predominant flavonoids were quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and Myricetin and reported that had high levels of phenolics and flavonoids exhibited high antioxidant capacity.

The antifungal and antibacterial activity of the medicinal plant extract is due to the presence of phenolic compounds within the extracts[36]. Table 2 shows that F. desertorum plant extract had considerable activity against Proteus vulgaris, Micrococcus luteus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus. Our results are in close connection with results of Phyllanthus niruri extract[37], Piper betel Linn leaf[38] and Pinus sylvestris[39]. F. desertorum extracts exhibiting remarkable antibacterial activity, which may be due to the presence of phenolic compounds (quercetin, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, tannic acid and catechin), alkaloids (Squalamine, Lysergol, Tetrandrine and Tomatidine) and flavonoids (apigenin, galangin, flavone and flavonol glycosides, isoflavones, flavanones and chalcones). Our result is following the results of Tyagi[40] reported that phenolic compounds like quercetin, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, tannic acid and catechol were effective in inhibiting the growth of the bacteria. Cushnie et al.[41] reported that alkaloids (Squalamine, Lysergol, Tetrandrine and Tomatidine) possess antibacterial activity. Cushnie et al.[42] reported several flavonoids including apigenin, galangin, flavone and flavonol glycosides, isoflavones, flavanones and chalcones have been shown to possess potent antibacterial activity. Saponins are also stood responsible for their antifungal activity[43]. The antifungal activity (Table 3) showed the plant extract inhibiting potential against Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The antifungal activity of the extract may be due to saponins (a-tomatine and avenacin) and our result showed the similarity with the result of Mert-Türk et al.[44] investigated that saponins (a-tomatine and avenacin) have potential antifungal activity.

The importance of mineral in maintaining human and plant well-being cannot be denied since their role is supposed to be crucial[45,46]. It was found that plant extract contains a good amount of certain mineral including Mg, Ca, Cr, Mn, Co, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe and Na. These results are inconsistency with the one reported on the elemental analysis of Bryonia alba root extract[47].

To test the cytotoxicity potential of medicinal plants, brine shrimp’s lethality assay plays an important role because the assay is low cost and easy to handle[16]. Plants showing cytotoxicity on shrimps could possess significant wonderful anti-cancer activity[48]. The plant extract showed a significant cytotoxic effect in vitro due to presence of secondary metabolites[49,50]. The present results showed that the extract possesses potential anticancer activity which might due to the presence of quercetin. The LC₅₀ value of the extract was found to be 127 µg/ml. Our results are following the result of Markaverich et al.[51] to propose that quercetin possess anticancer activity. These results are significant and present the plant extract for isolation of active metabolites, designing and synthesis of new drugs.

In conclusion the results of present study reveal that elemental analysis of F. desertorum extract showed the presence of Na, Fe, Cu, Cd, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ca and Mg. The consumption of this plant may therefore have many benefits to human health. Owing to the availably of a substantial quantity of minerals the plant of F. desertorum may be used as a dietary supplement. The plant also exhibited the inhibitory, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activities in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of the present study suggest that the ethanol extract of F. desertorum can be used as a prospective source of natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-cancer/anti-tumor agents. Further studies are recommended to design and synthesize useful drugs after isolation of active ingredients within the plant extract.

Acknowledgements:

The authors acknowledge their profound gratitude to the Department of Botany, Chemistry and Biotechnology of the University of Science and Technology Bannu for supporting and providing all the facilities to conduct the research work.

Conflict of interests:

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

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