Abstract

EVALUATION OF CYTOTOXIC EFFECT OF TRICHOSANTHES DIOICA (LEAVES) COMPARED TO VINCRISTIN SULPHATE IN BANGLADESH

Md. Ariful Islam, Rashedul Hasan and Md. Reyad-Ul-Ferdous*

Abstract

Trichosanthes, a genus of family Cucurbitaceae is an annual or perennial herb distributed in tropical Asia and Australia. Pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) is known by a common name of potol and cultivated mainly as a vegetable. Juice of leaves of T. dioica is used as tonic, febrifuge, in oedema, alopecia and in subacute cases of enlargement of liver. In Charaka Samhita leaves and fruits find mention for treating alcoholism and jaundice. A lot of pharmacological work has been scientifically carried out on various parts of T. dioica but some other traditionally important therapeutical uses are also remaining to proof till now scientifically. According to Ayurveda leaves of the plant are used as antipyretic, diuretic, cardiotonic, laxative, antiulcer, etc. It is also used in skin disorder by some communities of Asia traditionally. The various chemical constituents present in T. dioica are vitamin A, vitamin C, tannins, saponins, tetra and pentacyclic triterpenes etc. Cytotoxic activities of the alcohilic T. dioica. Leaves extracts of the root of T. dioica was subjected to Brine Shrimp lethality bioassay for possible cytotoxicity where, ethanol extract were found to be moderately cytotoxic showing LC50 of 26.89μg/ml while the LC50 of the reference anticancer drug vincristine sulphate was 0.98 μg/ml. Altogether, these result suggest that the ehtanolic extract could be usedas a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

Keywords: Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effect, Trichosanthes Dioica, Leaves, Vincristin Sulphate. Bangladesh