Antioxidant, Larvicidal, and Cytotoxic Studies on Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm. f.) Becherer

The present study was intended to determine the antioxidant, larvicidal, and cytotoxic potential of various extracts of Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm. f.) Becherer. Antioxidant potential of the extracts was determined by the DPPH radical scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, and scavenging of H(2)O(2). Larvicidal activity of Asplenium aethiopicum was performed against the fourth instar larvae Culex quinquefasciatus. Cytotoxic activity was analysed in terms of brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The best free radical scavenging activity was exerted by methanolic extract of Asplenium aethiopicum (IC(50) 91.4 μg/mL) followed by acetone extract (IC(50) 99.8 μg/mL). Highest larval mortality was observed in the crude acetone extracts of Asplenium aethiopicum against Culex quinquefasciatus (LC(50) = 166.6 ppm) followed by methanolic extracts. Acetone extract of Asplenium aethiopicum was found to be most effective at which 50% and 90% mortality of brine shrimp nauplii that occurred were found to be 192.8 and 434.3 ppm, respectively. The results of the present study revealed the antioxidant, larvicidal, and cytotoxic potential of Asplenium aethiopicum.