Phytochemical screening of the leaf methanolic extract of Acalypha torta revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, resins, glycosides, saponins and carbohydrates. The crude methanolic extract was partitioned successively in n-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol to give different fractions. Brine shrimp lethality test (cytotoxicity) carried out on the methanol extract and each of the fractions obtained, gave lethal doses: LC50 of 6.9030 μg/ml (hexane fraction), 45.0958 μg/ml (ethyl acetate fraction), 0.7210 μg/ml (butanol fraction) and 0.0002 μg/ml (methanol), indicating their toxicity. LC50 ≥ 1000 μg/ml is considered to be non-toxic. The free radical scavenging activity of A. torta was determined by three methods not yet reported in literature for this plant namely: scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydroxyl radical and peroxide oxidation by ferric thiocyanate method. Comparison of the results obtained with the three antioxidant standards used in the assay revealed that the fractions possessed antioxidant activity. Butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA), ascorbic acid and α- tocopherol were used as reference standards. The results obtained support the ethno medicinal applications of Acalypha torta.
