Evaluation of some plant extracts for standardization and anticancer activity

In recent times, the trend in cancer research is shifting towards identifying new medicines from natural resources for management of cancer. Medicinal plants such as Sthauneyaka (Taxus baccata L.) and compound formulations like Triphala ghrita, Khadirarista, Madhusnuhi rasayana, Maha triphaladya ghrita, Panchatikta guggulu ghrita are indicated in the Ayurvedic texts for management of cancer/tumour. The anti-proliferative activities of hydro-alcoholic extracts of some standardized plant materials were screened against a panel of 14 human cancer cell lines representing different tissues (lung, pancreas, colon, cervix, oral, bladder, prostate, breast, leukaemia, etc.) through Sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay. The findings revealed that Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) ex Lamb. and Berberis aristata (Roxb.) ex DC. have maximum anticancer activity against 3 cell lines while Withania somnifera Dunal. showed activity against two cell lines. In addition to these, Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. and Piper longum L. were found active against only one cell line. These results indicate the potential of Ayurvedic medicinal herbs as anti-neoplastic agents mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts. However, further studies are needed for evaluating their mechanism of action and to isolate the active anticancer compounds responsible for this activity.