Studies on phytoconstituents, In vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity potential of Argemone mexicana Linn. (Family: Papaveraceae)

Background: The present study was designed to determine the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity of Argemone mexicana. Materials and Methods: Aqueous, methanol, and ethanol extracts of the whole plant A. mexicana were screened for phenolics, tannins, and flavonoids. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated through 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl -hydrazyl-hydrate, and ferric reduction activity potential assays. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus was determined. Cytotoxic properties of the extracts were studied using the cancer cell lines HeLa, MCF-7, and HCT-15 through cell viability and DNA fragmentation assays. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed that the extracts contained phenolics, tannins, and flavonoids. The aqueous and solvent extracts of the whole plant exhibited a strong antioxidant activity in vitro and antibacterial activity against the tested human pathogenic bacteria. The crude extract of A. mexicana exhibited a strong cytotoxic activity against the tested cancer cell lines. Conclusion: Phytoconstituents from the crude extract of A. mexicana exhibited higher antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities than earlier reported annotations.