STUDIES ON THE ACUTE TOXICITY AND ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITIES OF POLYSCIAS FRUTICOSA (L) HARMS LEAF PHYTOSOME ON LUNG CANCER CELL LINE

Madhu C. Divakar*, P. Dinesh, G. Keerthana, B. Sridhar and R. Varshini

ABSTRACT

The present work focuses on the acute toxicity and anti-cancer studies of Polyscias fruticosa phytosome (PflP) prepared from its leaf aqueous extracts. The prepared phytosome is evaluated by particle size measurements, zeta potential and SEM studies. P. fruticosa growing in India included in the same family of ginseng (Araliaceae), contain large amounts of triterpenoid saponins in their leaves and roots. The Araliaceae family members are known for various therapeutic properties like adaptogenic, immunostimulant, antioxidant activities etc, as evidenced from the bioactivities of ginseng, a famous member of this family. The results indicated that the prepared phytosome laid in the nanoparticle range (50-200nm) and exhibited characteristic zeta potential, and SEM values. The LC50 was found to be more than 1000 mcg/ml for Pfl phytosome in Brine shrimp assay method. The anticancer activity is screened on lung cancer cell lines followed by MTT assay. The anticancer activity studies indicate that the Pfl phytosome at 125 mcg concentration (51.45% cytotoxicity) showed comparable activity with the reference standard etoposide at 50 mcg concentration (67.32 % cytotoxicity).

Keywords: Polyscias fruticosa, PflP (Pfl Phytosome), Brine shrimp assay, Lung cancer cell lines, MTT assay.