Biological screening of selected flora of Pakistan.

Methanolic extracts of different parts of five medicinal plants, Ferula assafoetida L. resin, Grewia asiatica L. leaves, Ipomoea hederacea Jacq. seeds, Lepidium sativum L. seeds and Terminalia chebula Retz. fruits were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic, phytotoxic, insecticidal, nematicidal and anthelmintic activities. Ipomoea hederacea showed very significant phytotoxic and cytotoxic activity, with 100% inhibition of Lemna minor growth and 100% death of Artemia sauna at concentrations of 1000 and 100 mu g mL-1. Grewia asiatica exhibited very weak activities while Lepidium sativum and Ferula assafoetida showed moderate to good potential in all three bioassays. The results suggest screening of Ipomoea hederacea seeds further for isolation of bioactive compounds that may be responsible for its toxic potential.