Abstract

IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF KUKKILATHI CHOORNAM – A SIDDHA MEDICINE AGAINST HeLa CELL LINES

Kaaruniya G.*, Sasi Priya T., Visweswaran S., Sivakkumar S., Mariappan A.

Abstract

Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that have the potential to harm cells. At high concentrations, however, free radicals can be hazardous to the body and damage all major components of cells, including DNA, proteins, and cell membranes. The damage to cells caused by free radicals, especially the damage to DNA, may play a role in the development of cancer and other health conditions. Cancer is one of the dreadful diseases and the population affected is also increasing day by day. Even the well advanced modern science struggles to save cancer patients from the complications. Siddha medicine is one of the most ancient medical systems of India. Siddha is the mother medicine of ancient Tamils/Dravidians of peninsular South India. The word Siddha means established truth. In Siddha literatures 4448 types of diseases were mentioned. Siddhars reported cancer as ‘Putru noi’ and have mentioned many potent drugs which are having anti oxidant properties. Among them, KUKKILATHI CHOORNAM (KC) a classical drug having anticancer potential is mentioned in Siddha Literature. MTT assay for KC was done on HeLa cell lines. At the end of this preliminary study, KC was found as a potent medicine on human cancer cells. Further studies with this medicine will pave right way towards safe and potent anticancer medicine.

Keywords: Anticancer activity, Kukkilathi Choornam, HeLa cell lines, Siddha medicine.