This study describes a biological
investigations of methanolic extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia, a plant
belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. The aim of this investigation was
to expose the viable phytochemical constituents properly as their
contribution towards the antioxidant, anthelmintic and membrane
stabilizing activities. The anthelmintic test was conducted on earthworm
Pheritima phosthuma using five unique concentrations of the extract and
albendazole as standard drug. The extracts were used for the
investigation of antioxidant activity followed by DPPH assay and using
BHT as a standard. The crude methanolic stem and leaves extract of J.
gossypiifolia was conducted to attempt for membrane stabilizing
activities using standard protocols. The leaves and the stems portion
considerably have the antioxidant property of 3.186 µg/ml and 10.56
µg/ml respectively. According to the absorbance values of the various
extract solutions, results of the colorimetric analysis of total
phenolic are that the leaves cover the highest Phenolic content
(65.66mg/g in GAE) rather than the stem portion (33.332mg/g in GAE). The
leaves and stem methanolic extract was found both at hypotonic solution
and heat induced conditions, inhibit 39.19±0.26%, 38.17±0.14 and
27.39±0.15%, 26.97±0.47% hemolysis of erythrocyte membrane respectively,
when comparing standard acetyl salicylic acid. The preliminary
phytochemical evaluation of methanolic extract of J. gossypiifolia
confirmed the presence of glycosides, tannins, phytosterols,
triterpenoids, diterpenes, saponins and phenols both at its leaves and
stem portions. The results of the study showed that the plant extract
has potential membrane stabilizing, anthelmintic, antioxidant activities
with significant phytochemicals.