Abstract

Various subsequent fractions of Nepeta juncea were subjected to test against platelet aggregation, antiglycation, cytoxicity, phytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities. Methanolic extract inhibited arachidonic acid (AA) induced platelet aggregation (IC₅₀ 35 ug/ml) and platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation (IC₅₀ 38 µg/ml) in a dose dependant fashion. In case of antiglycation bioassay, n-hexane fraction showed highest inhibitory activity (74.3%), followed by chloroform (72.4%) and water fractions (64.7%). The order of toxicity for brine shrimps was water > chloroform > n-hexane > N-butanol. Except n-hexane fraction (70% inhibition) at higher concentration (1000 ug/ml), n-butanol, chloroform and water fractions exhibited non-significant phytotoxic activity at even highest doseagainst Lemna minor. No significant inhibitory effect of these fractions could be observed against these bacteria and fungi except, n-butanol fraction againstBacillus subtilis (27.0%), Shigella flexneri (30.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus(42.3%). The chloroform fraction showed 25% antibacterial activity againstSalmonella typhi only. Each fraction might have variable effects in different bioassays.

Key words: Nepeta juncea, Lamiaceae, Labiatae, allelopathy, anti-cancer, medicinal plant, biological activity.