Author: Ghulam Abbas , Muhammad Kashif , Mudassar , Taseer Ahmed Khan3 , Huma Aslam Bhatti , Sayedul Haque , Sabira Naqvi1 and Ahsana Dar Farooq
Publishing Date: 2018
E-ISSN: 1011-601X
Volume 31 Issue 2
ABSTRACT:
The study was aimed at evaluating various biological actions of widely consumed Areca catechu nut. The nut’s ethanolic extract exhibited cytotoxicity (lung cancer cell line), embryotoxicity (chick embryo), phytotoxicity (Lemna minor), insecticidal (Rhyzopertha dominica), anti-bacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), anti-fungal (Microsporum canis) and mitogenic (human blood lymphocytes) actions. The standardization results revealed presence of 1.7 µg arecoline per mg of extract. In conclusion, the Areca nut is endowed with both harmful and beneficial biological actions. Keeping in view its wide consumption and ease of availability, the aforesaid information should be channelized for health and agricultural benefits.
Keywords: Areca nut, cytotoxicity, embryotoxin, insecticidal, weedicide, anti-microbial.