Biological activities of crude plant extracts from Vitex trifolia L. (Verbenaceae)

Biological assays of Vitex trifolia L. organic extracts have shown relevant activities. Hexanic and dichloromethanic (DCM) extracts, when prepared fro m stems and foliage, have proved to be very toxic against several cancer ce ll lines in culture (SQC-1 UISO, OVCAR-5, HCT-15 COLADCAR, and KB). Also, a n important antifeeding activity against the insect pest Spodoptera frugipe rda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was recorded. The hexanic extract from leaves completely inhibited the growth of the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium sp. w ithin the first 2 days of the experiment, but dropped significantly at day 6 (15% inhibition). The potential of V. trifolia for several uses is discus sed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.