Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Caesalpiniaceae) is an ornamental plant with several
ethnomedicinal uses. The present study was designed to investigate the brine shrimp
cytotoxicity and insecticidal activity of oil obtained from
C. pulcherrima root. The powdered
root was extracted with methanol and then defatted with petroleum ether (40-60
oC) to obtain a
viscous oil. The oil was investigated for its brine shrimp cytotoxicity and insecticidal activity
in
vitro. The chemical constituents were identified by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry.
The oil showed significant lethal effect against
Artemia salina
(Brine shrimp) with LC
50 of
23.85 μg/mL and mild insecticidal activity against
Tribolium castaneum
and
Callosbruchus analis with percentage mortality of 20% and 40% respectively at 1 mg/cm
2. GC-MS analysis
identified 37 compounds mainly steroids, terpenoids and fatty acids.