Abstract

IN-VITRO ANTICANCER SCREENING OF MAYTENUS EMARGINATA (WILLD.) FRUITS

P. Nagaveni, G. Krishna Mohan, Switi B Gaikwad*, E. Swapna

Abstract

Maytenus emarginata (Celastraceae) is an evergreen tree, commonly known as “thorny staff tree” in English. In the present study, methanol extract of fruits of Maytenus emarginata was screened for anti cancer activity by antimitotic activity method and seed germination assay and, brine shrimp lethality test. Results showed that fruit extract was effective in all the anticancer testing models. Results showed that fruit extract was effective in anti mitotic activity at the concentration of 40 mg/ml at 3 hrs treatment (P<0.0001), In seed germination assay, extract treatment after 24 and 72 hrs showed significant increase in percentage inhibition (10 mg/ml) which was comparable with percentage of inhibition of methotrexate (P<0.0001). Brine shrimp lethality test have shown the fruit extract as significant as methotrexate after 24hrs treatment (P<0.0001).

Keywords: Anticancer, Antimitotic, Celastraceae, Maytenus emarginata