Abstract

In this study, four plants [Chrozophora hierosolymitana Spreng (Euphorbiaceae), Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf (Ephedraceae), Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. (Astraceae),and Quercus dilatata L. (Fegaceae)] collected from different regions of Pakistan were screened to identify any chemotherapeutic agents present in them. Seven methanol extracts of these plants (leaf, stem, and root extracts of C. hierosolymitana; stem and root extracts of E. gerardiana; aerial parts of C. leucanthemum, and aerial parts of Q. dilatata) were examined for cytotoxicity using brine shrimp assay, antitumor activity using potato disc assay, and phytotoxicity activity using radish seed bioassay. Two methanol plant extracts, that is, leaf extract of C. hierosolymitana and root extract of E. gerardiana showed significant brine shrimp cytotoxicity activity ranging from 171.55 to 523.8 ppm. Six of the seven extracts exhibited tumor inhibition at all the three concentrations tested, ranging from 10 to 80%. All extracts showed growth and seed germination inhibition at high concentration against radish seeds, while two extracts (root extract of C. hierosolymitana and aerial parts of Q. dilatata) showed growth stimulating effects at lower concentrations. Phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, terpenoids, flavonoids, flavones, tannins, phlobatannins, and cardiac glycosides in different concentrations in these extracts.

Key words: Antitumor, cytotoxicity, plant extracts, plant growth regulatory factors, phytochemical constituents.