Anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activities of Heliconia psittacorum L. f. (Heliconiaceae) and Ficus coronata Spin. (Moraceae) leaves

Abstract

The cytotoxicity, anti-proliferative and antioxidant effects of leaves of Heliconia psittacorum and Ficus coronata were studied using standard models. Concentration-dependent anti-proliferative activity (P≥0.5) which became maximal at 5mg/ml was observed for the methanol extract, chloroform and aqueous fractions of both plants at every incubation period. Growth inhibition of guinea corn seeds (anti-proliferative activity) at 48 and 72h. was: methanol extract > aqueous fraction > chloroform fraction for H. psittacorum, and chloroform fraction > methanol extract > aqueous fraction for F. coronata. Their chloroform fraction: H. psittacorum (LC50, 5.0 mg/ml) and F. coronata (LC50, 6.5 mg/ml) were more cytotoxic against tadpoles than their aqueous fractions. Ferric reducing power assay at 40-100 μg/ml gave concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, which was higher for H. psittacorum. This was also comparable to that of ascorbic acid. These findings hereby suggest potential of H. psittacorum and F. coronata in the treatment of oxidative stress-induced diseases.Keywords: Heliconia psittacorum, Ficus coronata, anti-proliferative activity, cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity