Abstract

CYTOTOXICITY STUDY OF EQUISETUM ARVENSE OF IRAQ

Haider B. Al-Badri, Widad M. K. Al-Ani* and Abdul Mutalib A. G. Naser

ABSTRACT

Objectives: ethanolic extract of E. arvense was fractionated to three portions according to their polarity and each fraction was examined for cytotoxic effect. Methods: The aerial part of the plant was extracted with ethanol, the ethanol was evaporated and water was added and the solution was partitioned with ethyl acetate. Ethanolic, aqueous and ethyl acetate layers were examined for cytotoxicity. HPLC analysis was performed for the ethyl acetate fraction. Results: The ethyl acetate layer showed significant percent of cytotoxicity. HPLC analysis of this extract showed the occurrence of both flavonoids and flavonoid glycoside. Conclusion: Flavonoids in the ethyl acetate layer exhibit a high percent of cytotoxicity.

Keywords: Equisetum arvense, flavonoids and cytotoxicity.