<p><strong>Objectives</strong>: The present study was conducted to evaluate antimicrobial, insecticidal and radical scavenging activity of leaf extract of <em>Hydnocarpus pentandra</em> (Buch.-Ham.) Oken belonging to the family Achariaceae.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: Extraction process of shade dried and powdered leaf was carried out by maceration technique. Extract was screened for phytochemicals by standard tests. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of leaf extract was determined by Agar well diffusion and Poisoned food technique respectively. Antiradical activity of leaf extract was evaluated by two in vitro assays namely 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonate (ABTS) free radical scavenging assays. Insecticidal activity of leaf extract was determined against II instar and IV instar larvae of <em>Aedes aegypti</em>.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, triterpenes and steroids in the leaf extract. Leaf extract exhibited marked inhibitory activity against Gram positive bacteria when compared to Gram negative bacteria. <em>Bacillus cereus</em> (zone of inhibition 1.86±0.05cm) and <em>Escherichia coli</em> (zone of inhibition 1.06±0.05cm) were inhibited to highest and least extent respectively. Extract was effective in inhibiting mycelial growth of seed-borne fungi. Among fungi, the susceptibility to extract was in the order: <em>Curvularia</em> sp. (53.64% inhibition) > <em>Fusarium</em> sp. (45.81% inhibition) > <em>Alternaria</em> sp. (35.08% inhibition). The extract exhibited concentration dependent larvicidal activity with marked activity being observed against II instar larvae (LC<sub>50</sub> value 0.79mg/ml) when compared to IV instar larvae (LC<sub>50</sub> value 1.37mg/ml). Leaf extract scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals dose dependently with an IC<sub>50</sub> value of 13.91µg/ml and 6.03µg/ml respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: The plant is shown to be an important source of bioactive agents. The observed bioactivities could be attributed to the phytochemicals present in the leaf extract. Further studies on characterization and bioactivity determination of isolated components from leaf extract are to be carried out.</p>
<p>Germination is the growth of an embryonic plant contained within a seed; it results in the formation of the seedling. The seed of a higher plant is a small package produced in a fruit or cone after the union of male and female sex cells. All fully developed seeds contain an embryo and, in most plant species some store of food reserves, wrapped in a seed coat. Some plants produce varying numbers of seeds that lack embryos, these are called empty seeds, and never germinate. Most seeds go through a period of quiescence where there is no active growth; during this time the seed can be safely transported to a new location and/or survive adverse climate conditions until circumstances are favorable for growth. Quiescent seeds are ripe seeds that do not germinate because they are subject to external environmental conditions that prevent the initiation of metabolic processes and cell growth. Under favorable conditions, the seed begins to germinate and the embryonic tissues resume growth. In the present study, research was done to find the effect of crude extract of plants on germination of seeds. The plants which we have chosen may show the positive or negative effect on the germination of seeds. This has some importance in the rain fed areas. Even the specific plant extract soaked and sow in land may helpful to tolerate the drought conditions. Also study is helpful to agriculture or agricultural industry. It helps to find out the anti sprouting property of the plants. However, further work is needed to improve this method.</p>
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