Author(s):

Adebayo Gbolade, Onosetale Ojeh-Oziegbe and Precious Uazama

Abstract: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. leaf (Malvaceae) and Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold (Apocynaceae) root bark were investigated for growth inhibitory effect on guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) seeds and cytotoxicity on tadpoles (Raniceps ranninus) in vitro. Methanol extract and solvent fractions of both plants at 0.25 – 5.0 mg/ml gave significant decreases in mean radicle length of guinea corn seeds (anti-proliferative action) which was concentration-dependent. Growth inhibition of root radicle at the most effective concentration, 5 mg/ml, was not dependent on incubation period. Ceiba pentandra aqueous fraction gave remarkable growth inhibition (86%) at 24h while other tested agents were similar in activity (78-76%). At 48h, the performance was methanol extract > aqueous fraction = chloroform fraction > ethyl acetate fraction (89-69%). Cascabela pentandra gave reasonable maximum growth inhibition only at 24h: chloroform fraction = ethyl acetate (69%) and aqueous fraction = methanol extract (59%). Ceiba pentandra (LC₅₀ 4.8-6.0 mg/ml) proved to be more cytotoxic on tadpoles than Cascabela thevetia (LC₅₀ 5.3-6.4 mg/ml) within 24h. Cytotoxicity ranking with Ceiba pentandra was ethyl acetate fraction > methanol extract > chloroform fraction > aqueous fraction, while Cascabela thevetia gave ethyl acetate fraction > aqueous fraction > methanol extract. Data reported herein showed that Ceiba pentandra was the more potent cytotoxic and growth inhibitory plant. These findings hereby justify the folkloric purpose of Ceiba pentandra and Cascabela thevetia in the treatment of oxidative stress-induced diseases.

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