Antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing activities of leaf organic solvent extract fractions of clerodendrum viscosum vent.(Funded Work)

Abstract

The genus Clerodendrum is used for therapeutic activities like anticancer, antimicrobial, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. Clerodendrum viscosum Vent., a perennial shrub, (Family: Lamiaceae, Common name: Ghetu), is being commonly used in traditional systems of healthcare. Anti-tumor efficacy of this plant has become reputed particularly with respect to benign tumors and also for the treatment of cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing potentials of the leaf extract fractions of Clerodendrum viscosum. In vitro, antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects were determined by MTT assay and apoptotic cell death inducing effect was analyzed by staining with ethidium bromide and acridine orange under the fluorescence microscope after treatment with the organic solvent extract fractions of C.viscosum leaf on Dalton’s lymphoma (DL) cells. MTT test results indicate dose-dependent increase in antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of leaf organic solvent extracts of C.viscosum on DL cells. Similarly fluorescence microscopic analysis showed a significant increase in apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner where methanolic extract fraction seemed to be the most effective fraction for apoptosis induction in DL cells. GC-MS data indicate methanolic fraction of C.viscosum leaf contains fatty acids and fatty acid esters as major bioactive compounds. In conclusion, this study explored antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of organic solvent extracts of C.viscosum and thus it validates the traditional use of this plant in tumor and cancer treatment.