Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cytotoxic activities of extracts ofEuphorbia genus plants, Euphorbia fischeriana, Euphorbia tirucalli, Euphorbia humifusa and Euphorbia antiquorum. The plant selection was based on ethnobotanic information and interviews with local healers. Cytotoxic activities were screened by an in vitro assay system of growth inhibition against two human cancer cell lines, human hepatocyte carcinoma cell (BEL-7402) and human lung cancer cell (A-549). Extracts which exhibited IC₅₀ value less than 30 µg/ml were considered active. The CHCl₃ extracts from E. tirucalli and E. antiquorumexhibited strong cytotoxic effect on the two cell lines. The CHCl₃ and EtOAc extracts from E. fischeriana showed significant cytotoxic activity on the A-549 cell. This study revealed that the CHCl₃ extracts from E. tirucalli and E. antiquorum, the CHCl₃ and EtOAc extracts fromE. fischeriana may have a great potential to be exploited for the search of anticancer drug. It is necessary for chemical characterization of the active principles and more extensive biological evaluations.

Key words: Cytotoxic activity, Euphorbia, human cancer cells.