IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITIES OF UVARIA NARUM SEED OIL (UNSO)

Annonaceae family plants are well known for its biologically active phytochemicals with cytotoxic and anticancer potential. Uvaria narum has traditional use in rheumatism, jaundice, biliousness, and fevers. The root bark of this plant yields an essential oil used in Indian traditional medicine for erysipelas, eczema, fever, biliousness, and rheumatism. The plant is locally available but less explored scientifically. In the present investigation, U. narum seed oil (UNSO) was found to be cytotoxic to Dalton?s Lymphoma Ascites cells (DLA) with IC50 value 77  5.37 g/mL and Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma cells (EAC) (100 g/mL) in short-term in vitro cytotoxicity assay while less toxic to normal spleen cells ( IC50 values above 100  1.41 g/mL). Further in Vero (normal monkey kidney cells), HCT-15 (Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells) and HepG2 (Hepatocellular carcinoma cells) and HeLa cells (Human cervical carcinoma cells) in culture exposed to UNSO at varied concentrations displayed a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability indicating its anti-proliferative potential. The concentration required for 50% loss in viability (IC50) were 48.05 2.43, 40.0  1.94, 50.30  1.45 and 100  2.35 ?g/mL, respectively. Further purifications of UNSO may yield pharmacologically important phytochemicals.