ABSTRACT
The crude extracts from stem bark of Crataeva nurvala Buch.-Ham containing naturally occurring antioxidants were screened for their most abundant phytosecondary metabolite, antiproteolytic and cytotoxic properties. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by DPPH radical scavenging activity, Ferric reducing power and β Carotene linoleic acid assay. The antiproteolytic activity of crude extracts was determined by inhibition of trypsin-induced hydrolysis of BSA. The IC50 of cytotoxic effect on HepG2 and B16F0 cell line was investigated using MTT assay. Preliminary phytochemical analysis exhibited the presence of terpenoids as a major phytochemical reflecting higher antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The PEECN extract showed good antiproteolytic activity with 26.04% inhibition on BSA. The IC50 values of PEECN against HepG2 and B16F0 cells using MTT assay were determined to be 34.67 ± 1.10 μg/ml and 49.43 ± 4.778 μg/ml after 48 h, respectively. These results demonstrate that the petroleum ether extract containing most terpenoid fraction exhibited potential antiproteolytic and cytotoxic activity against hepatocellular carcinoma and mouse melanoma in vitro through inhibition of proliferating cancerous cells.