Abstract
BackgroundSolanum xanthocarpum (Solanaceae) has been used for treatment of many infectious and degenerative diseases in traditional medicine. Present study reports the medicinal efficacy of S. xanthocarpum fruit as antioxidant, anticancer and anti HIV agents.MethodsExtracts were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus and partially characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Total flavonoid content was determined spectrophotometrically. Reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays were used for measurement of antioxidant potential. Cytotoxic (SRB assay) and anti-HIV RT inhibition (RT assay kit, Roche) activities were determined using ELISA.ResultsTLC revealed the diversity of phytoconstituents in various sequential extracts of S. xanthocarpum fruit. Total flavonoid contents in extracts ranged between 10.22–162.49 μg quercetin equivalent/mg. Spectroscopic scanning of water soluble phenolics showed maximum absorbance at 250 and 280 nm. Polar extracts displayed potent radical scavenging activity (>80%). Several sub-fractions (spots) of extracts separated on TLC plates also exhibited powerful radical scavenging activity. Considerable reducing power was observed in extracts. Hexane fraction provided 55% lipoprotection in rat kidney homogenate. Non-polar extracts exhibited appreciable cytotoxic activity (70-91%) against leukemia (THP-1) and lung cancer (HOP-62) cell lines. Lower inhibitory activity was observed in extracts against HIV Reverse Transcriptase enzyme.ConclusionThe study demonstrated considerable antioxidant and anticancer activities in S. xanthocarpum fruit.
Highlights
Solanum xanthocarpum (Solanaceae) has been used for treatment of many infectious and degenerative diseases in traditional medicine
Antioxidants derived from plants are presumed to be safe since they are natural in origin and have capability to counteract the damaging effect of reactive oxygen
Thin layer chromatography of extracts Separation of components is shown in Figure 1A and B
Summary
Solanum xanthocarpum (Solanaceae) has been used for treatment of many infectious and degenerative diseases in traditional medicine. Excessive free radicals may produce oxidative stress that can damage lipids, proteins and DNA resulting into various chronic and degenerative diseases and/or disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular, alzheimer and ageing etc. Human body has several enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms to combat oxidative stress. The non enzymatic antioxidants are either produced naturally in the body or supplied through foods and/or supplements. Antioxidants derived from plants are presumed to be safe since they are natural in origin and have capability to counteract the damaging effect of reactive oxygen. Oxidative stress induces a cellular redox imbalance which has been observed in various cancer cells. Compounds having low side effects, inducing apoptosis and target specific cytotoxicity to the cancer cells are drugs of choice [8]
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