Abstract

IN VITRO ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF ARGEMONE MEXICANA L. SEEDS AND ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS (L.) R. BR. BARK ON DIFFERENT HUMAN CANCER CELL LINES

Avinash Patil*, Khyati Vadera, Darshana Patil, Anita Phatak, Aarti Juvekar and Naresh Chandra

ABSTRACT

Cancer has been one of the dreadful diseases of 20th century and moving vastly in 21st century becoming one of the major causes of deaths in humans. The use of natural substances to inhibit carcinogenesis is a rapidly evolving aspect of cancer research. Large number of plants and their isolated constituents have been shown to possess potential anticancer activity. In present investigation, various extracts (Aqueous, Hydroalcoholic, Ethanolic, Methanolic and Petroleum ether) of Argemone mexicana L. seeds and Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. bark were standardized for their preliminary phytochemical analysis and in vitro anticancer activity. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of Argemone mexicana L. seeds extract showed presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrates, glycosides, mucilage, proteins, flavonoids, fats and fixed oils whereas that of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. bark showed presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, proteins, flavonoids, fats and fixed oils. The in vitro anticancer activity of the extracts tested against various human cancer cell lines using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Out of the ten extracts tested, Ethanolic, Methanolic and Petroleum ether extracts of Argemone mexicana L. seeds and Aqueous, Hydro-alcoholic (50% Ethanol) and Ethanolic extracts of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. bark showed potent anticancer activity on Human Leukaemia Cell line HL – 60. The result of the present work may be useful for the development of anticancer agents of plant origin.

Keywords: Argemone mexicana L., Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., anticancer activity, phytochemical analysis.