Biological Evaluation of the Plant Mazus japonicus Albiflorus (Scrophulariaceae)

Mazus japonicus is an important plant of Scrophulariaceae family. In the present research work, the dichloromethane and methanol crude extracts of the plant Mazus japonicus were evaluated for phytotoxic, cytotoxic, antifungal and antibacterial activities. Both dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Mazus japonicus inhibited the growth of Lemna minor L. and showed significant phytotoxic activities. The dichloromethane extract showed cytotoxic activity at highest level of dose with LD50 513.04 μg/ml, while methanol extract showed no cytotoxic activity. The dichloromethane extract of the plant showed 25% inhibition against Fusarium solani and methanol extract of the plant showed 30% inhibition against Microsporum canis. Both dichloromethane and methanol extract of the plant exhibited non-significant activity when tested against pathogenic gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. The phytochemical tests indicated the presence of saponins in the plant.