PJB-2025-1506
Phytochemical composition, cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity of Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. fruit extract
Muhammad Alam Zeb, Faizan Ullah, Sultan Mehmood, Muhammad Mudassir Aslam, Tahir Iqbal, Tahani Awad Alahmadi, Sulaiman Ali Alharbi, Taufiq Nawaz and Shah Fahad
Abstract
Weed plants are a significant threat to agricultural growth and productivity, causing economic losses due to synthetic herbicides, environmental pollution, and harm to non-target organisms. To address this issue, the study focused on analyzing the phytochemical profile, cytotoxic properties, and effects of Euphorbia dracunculoides fruit methanolic extract on seed germination, and growth of radish, and canola. Major phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, steroids, and catechin, were identified. The extract was evaluated using brine shrimp at concentrations ranging from 1.25 to 640 µg dry weight equivalent (DWE) /mL to determine cytotoxicity, comparing its LD50 value with the standard potassium dichromate. For phytotoxicity, concentrations of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg DWE/mL were used to assess their impact on seed germination and seedling growth in radish and canola. The concentrations causing 50% inhibition (IC50) for seed germination and seedling growth were determined. Results showed that the extract exhibited high sensitivity to both plant species, with brine shrimp displaying the highest mortality rate at 640 µg DWE/mL. It significantly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth in radish and canola, with recorded IC50 values for both species. The extract caused 50% growth inhibition of shoot length at concentrations of 5.16 and 4.75 mg DWE/mL and 50% growth inhibition of root length at concentrations of 4.39 and 5.50 mg DWE/mL, respectively. The methanolic extract of E. dracunculoides fruit demonstrates potential as a sustainable and cost-effective herbicidal agent, potentially reducing reliance on synthetic herbicides and mitigating herbicide-resistant weed species. However, further research is required to understand its mechanisms of cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity, assess its safety and effectiveness, and explore its application in integrated weed management strategies.
To Cite this article:
Zeb, M.A., F. Ullah, S. Mehmood, M.M. Aslam, T. Iqbal, T.A. Alahmadi, S.A. Alharbi, T. Nawaz and S. Fahad. 2025. Phytochemical composition, cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity of Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. fruit extract. Pak. J. Bot., 57(1): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2025-1(32)
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