ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to investigate the phytochemical screening, the free radical scavenging activity and to determine the total phenolic content of methanolic extract and different solvent soluble fractions of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. (Oxalidiaceae) fruits. The free radical scavenging activity was evaluated by analyzing the bleaching rate of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and total phenolic content was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, which results were expressed in gallic acid equivalent (mg of GAE/g of sample). The phytochemical screening revealed the potent source of different phytochemical constituents on different extractives including, phenol, flavonoid, tannin that are responsible for antioxidant action. In the determination of total phenolic content, different extractives showed a significant content of phenolic compounds ranging from 50.23-68.67 mg of GAE/g of extractive. The plant sample displayed significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity with highest IC50 value in crude methanolic extract (30.365 μg/ml) followed by chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, pet-ether and aqueous soluble fractions having value of 32.852 μg/ml, 36.708 μg/ml, 50.35 μg/ml, and 79.918 μg/ml, respectively as opposed to that of the scavenging effects of BHT of 19.656 μg/ml.
ABSTRACT
The crude methanolic extract of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. (Oxalidiaceae) fruits and its different fractions have been investigated for the evaluation of in vitro cytotoxic potential. The dried and powder fruits were extracted with methanol at room temperature and the concentrated methanolic extract was fractionated by the modified Kupchan partitioning method to provide pet-ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions. Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay was used to investigate the cytotoxic potential of A. bilimbi. Compared to vincristine sulfate (with LC50 of 0.839 μg/ml) methanolic extract, carbon tetrachloride and pet-ether soluble fractions demonstrated a significant cytotoxic potential (having LC50 of 0.005μg/ml, 1.198μg/ml and 0.781μg/ml, respectively). The LC50 values of chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions were 5.691μg/ml and 6.123μg/ml, respective-ly. This study reveals that A. bilimbi possesses effective cytotoxic properties and hence can be a potential source for the isolation of active principle(s) for cancer therapy.
ABSTRACT
The crude methanolic extract of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. (Oxalidiaceae) fruits and its different fractions have been investigated for the evaluation of in vitro cytotoxic potential. The dried and powder fruits were extracted with methanol at room temperature and the concentrated methanolic extract was fractionated by the modified Kupchan partitioning method to provide pet-ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions. Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay was used to investigate the cytotoxic potential of A. bilimbi. Compared to vincristine sulfate (with LC50 of 0.839 μg/ml) methanolic extract, carbon tetrachloride and pet-ether soluble fractions demonstrated a significant cytotoxic potential (having LC50 of 0.005μg/ml, 1.198μg/ml and 0.781μg/ml, respectively). The LC50 values of chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions were 5.691μg/ml and 6.123μg/ml, respective-ly. This study reveals that A. bilimbi possesses effective cytotoxic properties and hence can be a potential source for the isolation of active principle(s) for cancer therapy.