Abstract

Crude methanol extract and fractions of Debregeasia salicifolia stem were examined for their anticancer activity. To determine anticancer activity, different concentrations of crude extract were tested on MCF-7 cancer cell line by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. D. salicifoliaextract showed a significant antiproliferative activity and a dose dependent effect was observed. Minimum inhibition of 25.31% was shown by extract at concentration 10 μg/ml and maximum inhibition (99%) was observed at 500 μg/ml. Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous fractions were also tested at a concentration of 200 µg/ml. Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions appeared to be most active with 90 to 99% activity. These results indicate the possible potential use of D. salicifolia as antineoplastic agent. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the chemical composition of D. salicifolia extract containing flavonoids, anthraquinones and tannins. Anticancer properties of D. salicifolia can be linked with the presence of these chemicals.

Key words: Anticancer, cytotoxic, Debregeasia salicifolia, MCF-7 cell line, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, phytochemical

Abbreviation

DMEM, Dulbecco's modified eagle medium; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; FBS, foetal bovine serum; MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide.