Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of Aqueous Extract of Euphorbia hirta Using Human Colon Adenocarcinoma and Vero Cell Line

Abstract

Euphorbia hirta Linn. belonging to family Euphorbiaceae. Traditionally it is used in the treatment of tumors, fever, asthma, bronchitis, chest congestion, etc. Objective of the present investigation was to evaluate cytotoxicity of aqueous extract of E. hirta using human colon adenocarcinoma (HCT-15) and vero cell line. MTT assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity of aqueous extract of E. hirta using HCT-15 and vero cell line. Doxorubicin was used as standard reference drug. The concentrations of extract and doxorubicin at range 0.05-1000 μg/ml were considered. Results of the present study was revealed that the 50% cell growth inhibition (IC50) of aqueous extract of E. hirta and doxorubicin was 510.66 μg/ml and 460.13μg/ml using the HCT-15 cell line and 1363.65 μg/ml and 2392.71μg/ml using Vero cell line respectively. The cytotoxic effect of aqueous extract of E. hirta may be due to the presence of previously reported chemical compounds by earlier scientists in the plant. This plant can be used as good source of cytotoxic compounds. Chemical analysis of this extract is in under pipeline. First time author have reported these studies on E. hirta using HCT-15 and vero cell line by MTT assay. Further series of studies will required for validating these results by using in-vivo pharmacological experiments. The work can be further expanded for detail mechanistic based studies by doing Tunnal, Caspcase and flow cytometry assays.