Investigation of In-vitro Anticancer and Pesticidal Activity of Bougainvillea spectabilis Leaves Methanolic Extract

Abstract

Background: This thesis contains cytotoxicity, lethality, and pesticidal tests to investigate in-vitro anticancer and pesticidal properties of the methanolic extract of Bougainvillaea spectabilis leaves. Methods: The CellTiter 96 Non-Radioactive Cell Proliferation Assay was used to assess the extract's cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells (human cervical carcinoma). The brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT) was used to conduct preliminary toxicity screening. Using Rice weevils, pesticidal activity was evaluated in a lab setting. Results: With an LD50 value of ~8.7mg/ml indicating anticancer activity and a concentrationdependent reduction in cell viability, the extract demonstrated notable cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. Strong overall toxicity was shown by the extract's 100% death rate in the BSLT. The extract's potential as a natural pesticide was demonstrated by the pesticidal assay, which showed 100% mortality. Conclusion: The results show that bioactive chemicals with significant anticancer and pesticidal effects are present in the extract of Bougainvillaea spectabilis leaves. These findings provide the groundwork for additional bioassay-guided fractionation and characterization to create new agrochemical and medicinal compounds.