Abstract

The crude methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Sarcococca saligna (Ss.Cr) and its various fractions were screened in vitro for possible antibacterial, antifungal, phytotoxic, haemagglutination and insecticidal activities. The chloroform (CHCl₃) fraction and Ss.Cr showed significant (80.76%) and good (76.92%) antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, while rest of the fractions showed moderate and low activity against the tested bacterial strains. The Ss.Cr, n-hexane and CHCl₃ fractions of the plant showed low antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum, while rest of the fractions and Ss.Cr were found inactive against the tested microorganisms. Similarly, low phytotoxic activity ranging from 6.25 to 18.75% was shown by the test samples, at higher concentrations (1000 µg/ml). The n-hexane fraction of the plant showed good insecticidal activity (60%) against C. analis and moderate insecticidal activity (40%) against T. castaneum. The CHCl₃ and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fractions showed moderate activity (40%) against T. castaneum and C. analis respectively.Weak (+) heameagglutination activity was shown by Ss.Cr against O^-ive, n-hexane against A^-ive and O^-ive and CHCL₃ against O^-ive at dilution of 1:2, respectively. No haemagglutination activity was shown by EtOAc and aqueous fractions.

Key words: Sarcococca saligna, antibacterial, antifungal, phytotoxic, haemagglutination, insecticidal activities.