In Vitro Anti Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Cancer Cell Line Studies on Mollugo Cerviana (L.) Ser

Abstract

Our traditional treatises on medicine have shown references to number of rare medicinal herbs prescribed to treat various ailments in human. An herbal plant preferred to treat fever, inflammation, rheumatic pain and wounds prevalently in the villages of the delta districts of Tamilnadu by name Mollugo cerviana was chosen for this research. The Ethanol extract of Mollugo cerviana was analysed for its in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity through standard procedures. The anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol ethanolic extracts of varying concentrations were evaluated under HRBC (Human Red Blood Cell) Membrane Stabilization and Protein denaturation studies. Diclofenac sodium a nonsterioidal anti-inflammatory drug was the reference standard. The results revealed a concentration dependent increase in the percentage of membrane stabilization activity with increase in concentration of the test extract and a concentration dependent inhibition of protein (albumin) denaturation activity. Antioxidant studies revealed a significant free radical scavenging activity by the extract upon evaluation by DPPH free radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide assay and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity assay. The studies on liver cancer cell lines using MTT assay revealed the anticancer activity exhibited by the ethanol extract of Mollugo cerviana. The studies as a whole reveals the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity possessed by the herbal extract of Mollugo cerviana which invites attention to proceed with further research towards development of novel herbal drugs from Mollugo cerviana to treat inflammation and cancer.