Cytotoxicity Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Anthocleista djalonensis Root Extracts against Cancer Cells

Aim: Several medicinal uses have been reported for Anthocleista djalonensis and many types of pure compounds have been isolated. However, the anti-cancer activity of this plant has not been proven. The aim of this study was to screen for the phytochemicals present in the rootn-hexane, ethyl acetate, and acetone extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis, and to evaluate its anticancer potential against human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa cells) in vitro.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Department of Organic Chemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. The duration period was between March and July, 2016.

Methodology: Extracts were prepared by soaking the root powder in the respective solvents with continuous stirring; The extracts were filtered and evaporated to remove the solvents. The extracts were then screened for phytocompounds by preliminary screening methods. Anti-cancer potential was carried out by a Resazurin assay and CC50 values were determined.

Results: The extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates, glucoside, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, sterols. All extracts demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity against HeLa cells.

Conclusion: The hexane, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts showed anticancer property. The roots extracts of Anthocleista djalonesis were thus found to possess potential anticancer activities.