Preliminary evaluations of some bioactivities of the chloroform extract of Sprekelia formosissima bulbs (lirio azteca)

Abstract

This work studied some biological activities of the chloroform extract from bulbs of Sprekelia formosissima (L.) Herbert, which is employed in the traditional Mexican folk medicine to treat small bumps and pimples, snake bites and for hair loss control. The extract showed potential to inhibit seed germination, as well as insecticide and reproductive inhibition activities on Drosophila melanogaster. However, it did not show any antimicrobial activity on Gram (+), Gram (-) bacteria, nor on C. albicans. Furthermore, the extract toxicity was evaluated on the Artemia spp. model where, with a CL₅₀ of 46 ppm, the extract showed to be toxic.