Cytotoxicity assessment of medicinal plants from three geothermal areas using the brine shrimp lethality assay

Abstract The exploration of natural products for therapeutic applications is a critical area of research, particularly in regions with unique environmental conditions, such as geothermal areas. The cytotoxicity profile of 15 medicinal plants collected from three geothermal areas (Ie-Brouk, Ie-Jue, and Ie-Seu’um) in Seulawah Agam Mountain, Aceh, Indonesia, was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). The results of this study revealed a broad spectrum of toxicity among the plants tested, with classifications ranging from highly toxic (0%), moderately toxic (26.67%), mildly toxic (6.67%), and essentially non-toxic (66.67%). The variations in toxicity for the same species namely Chromolaena odorata suggest that local environmental conditions, such as soil type and ecosystem interactions, play a key role in determining the toxicity levels of plants. Additional research, including extensive phytochemical analyses and in vivo toxicity assessments, is needed to fully understand the safety and efficacy of these plants for therapeutic use.