Anti Reverse Transcriptase and Anticancer activity of stem ethanol extracts of Excoecaria agallocha (Euphorbiaceae)

Abstract

Excoecaria agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a mangrove plant widely used in folklore medicine for the treatment of several diseases. In the present study anti HIV and anticancer properties of active fraction of stem ethanol extracts of the plant were investigated. The fraction showed significant anti-reverse transcriptase activity in the enzyme-based direct binding assay which was as good as that of the standard synthetic inhibitor. Anticancer activity of the same fraction was determined using MTS in vitro assay. It showed potent cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cell lines Capan-1 and Miapaca-2 with IC₅₀ values of 4 μg/ml and 7 μg/ml respectively. These results clearly indicate strong anti HIV and anticancer properties in stem extracts of E. agallocha.  

Key words: mangrove; pancreatic cancer; activity guided fractionation; anti HIV properties

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v40i2.3931

CJSBS 2011; 40(2): 147-155