Abstract

IN VITRO ANTI-CANCEROUS EFFECT OF THE TAXITHELIUM NEPALENSE (SCHWÄGR) BROTH. STUDIED BY MTT ASSAY

Athira R. K. Nair, Brijithlal N. D.*, Prakash G. Williams and Lubaina A. S.

Abstract

The extract of Taxithelium nepalense (Schwägr) Broth. in various solvents are screened for phytochemical compounds and the acetone extract is screened for the anti-cancerous effect on HeLa cells (cervical cancerous cells) by MTT assay. Studies reveal that T. nepalense posses valuable secondary compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols etc. and the percentage of viability of cancerous cells are measured in various concentration of the extract. Studies proved that the maximum viability of cancerous cells showed in 6.25 μl and minimum viability in 100 μl. This indicates that higher concentration of the extract can kill the cancerous cells effectively. In general the results indicate that T. nepalense shows anti-cancerous properties which is strictly based on the presence of secondary metabolites.

Keywords: HeLa cells, MTT assay, Taxithelium nepalense, Apoptosis.