ABSTRACT
Objective: The present study was aimed to determine the cytotoxicity concentration (CTC50) of different extracts made from the leaf and stem bark of an ethno botanically selected S. pubescens against Human liver carcinoma (Hep G2), Human colon carcinoma (CaCo2) and Human breast cancer (T-47 D) cell lines. Methods: Ethnobotanical survey was done through interviewing traditional medicinal practitioners then a potential herbal plant was selected after a thorough literature survey and its identity was confirmed. The soxhlet extraction method was adopted using five different solvents from leaf and stem bark powders of the study plant and the CTC50 of all the extracts were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay method. Results: Among the different extracts, CTC50 values were significant for stem bark extracts made from methanol (24.51±0.08 µg/ml) against Hep G2, while leaf chloroform extract was promising (57.15±1.75 µg/ml) against CaCo2 and n-hexane extract of leaf exhibited significant value (20.27±1.52 µg/ml) against T-47 D cancer cell lines. Conclusion: The major findings of the present study clearly provides evidence that the leaf and stem bark of S. pubescens possesses the potential anticancer bioactive compound solasodine.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the teratogenic and hepatotoxic potential of the usnic acid encapsulated into PLGA-microspheres. In total, 12 female Wistar rats in pregnancy were randomly distributed in the control group (n= 6) that received 1.0 mL of physiological solution and treatment group (n= 6) that received 25 mg/kg of encapsulated usnic acid by oral administration. All females were euthanized at day 20 of pregnancy and their fetuses were removed and analyzed. During the pregnancy was observed a reduction in weight gain. There was no difference in serum transaminases levels analyzed as well as any difference in liver weight in both groups. The histomorphometric analysis of the liver from the treatment group revealed an increase in number of hepatocytes and a decrease in nuclear area of these cells. Moreover, no alteration was observed in cell area of hepatocytes or number of Kupffer cells. The fetuses had an increase in total number of hepatocytes and a reduction in the amount of megakaryocytes. These results show the hepatotoxic potential of usnic acid during pregnancy. However, its toxicity can be minimized by encapsulation in microspheres.