EVALUATING IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF AN INDIGENOUS PLANT OF MEGHALAYA

Abstract

Objective: A perennial herb of Meghalaya origin, Anemone rivularis Buch.- Ham. ex DC., belongs to the family Ranunculaceae, was traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation and cancer. This study aims to evaluate the in-vitro antioxidant and anticancer property of Anemone rivularis methanolic extract through free radical scavenging assays and anticancer activity against ovarian cancer cell line.

Method: The previously dried leaves were processed for extraction by using maceration and hot percolation technique, followed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity (ABTS),Total Flavonoid Content (TFC)and Total Phenolic Content (TPC), and cell viability by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) and apoptosis study using flow cytometry analysis.

Result: The results revealed that the plant is a high source of antioxidants as it showed very potent inhibition towards free radicals. The anticancer effect by MTT assay were evaluated on the viability of the human ovarian cell line (PA-1). The results showed that as the concentration of the extract increases, the percentage of cell viability of the PA-1 cell line decreases. Further apoptosis study using flow cytometry method revealed that methanolic extract dose dependently induced apoptosis in PA-1 cell. Methanolic extract treatment significantly promoted early apoptosis when compared with control.

Conclusion: These results suggest that A. rivularis possess antioxidant and anticancer properties and thus justify the traditional use for the treatment of anticancer diseases. However, research on in-vivo methods along with toxicity study is recommended to validate the safety for society.