Phytochemical characterization and cytotoxic activity of Iranecio elbursensis Bioss.

Iranecio elbursensis Bioss. (Asteraceae), an endemic plant of Iran, aerial parts total extract and dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions were investigated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity as well as their phytochemical constituents. The total extract was prepared by cool percolation method using hydro-alcoholic solution [1]. The fractions were obtained by using Soxhlet apparatus [2]. In phytochemical screening, total extract was tested for alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and cyanogenic glycosides [3]. The results revealed the presence of flavonoids and alkaloids in total extract. Human breast carcinoma cell line, T47D, was used for evaluating cytotoxic activity by MTT assay method and doxorubicin was used as positive control [4]. The total extract exhibited marked cytotoxic activity against human breast carcinoma cell line with IC50 of 1mg/ml. In comparing all fractions at the concentration of IC50, the dichloromethane fraction was the most effective one which shows the presence of some cytotoxic components that are almost nonpolar and can be extracted by nonpolar solvents.

References: [1] Fazeli, M.R. et al (2007) Food Cont. 18:646–649.

[2] Francois, G. et al (2004) Phytother. Res. 18:184–186.

[3] Evans, W.C. (2002) Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy. W.B. Saunders. London.

[4] Kaabinejadian, S. et al (2008)J. Biol. Sci. 8:380–385.