Abstract

STANDARDIZATION AND IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY FOR PLANT EXTRACTS

Dr. Pooja*, Priyanka Sharma, Dr. K. M. Chacko, Dr. M. L. Aggarwal and Dr. Binu Bhat

ABSTRACT

This paper details about the standardization and biological investigation of Boswellia serrata and Withania somnifera. These plants are ingredients of many polyherbal formulations used in the treatment of variety of diseases viz. anti-inflammatory disorders, hyperlipidemia, cancers etc. In the present study qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess the quality parameters and cytotoxicity of Boswellia serrata and Withania somnifera on mouse fibroblast L-929 cells. The physico-chemical parameters form the basic criteria for the selection of plant preparations. The results of physico-chemical parameters reflect the standard conditions used for the preparation of different formulations. In the qualitative morphological results, it was found that there was no cell lysis or morphological changes in both Boswellia serrata and Withania somnifera treated wells which are the reflection of good manufacturing practices during the extract preparation. The effect of the plant extracts on the proliferation of cells was expressed as the cell viability percentage which shows the inhibitory/toxic effect comes with the high exposure concentrations. The extracts of Boswellia serrata and Withania somnifera have been screened by in vitro cytotoxicity activity (MTT assay) with different concentrations in which reduced cell viability (%) were found with increasing the concentrations.

Keywords: Boswellia serrata, Withania somnifera, Medicinal plants, cytotoxicity, MTT assay.