In vitro antileishmanial, antitumor, cytotoxic activities and phyto-chemical analysis of Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract and its fractions.

Abstract

Citrullus colocynthis fruits have been widely used in folk medicine for its medicinal properties (Hartwell 1971). In the present study the crude methanolic fruit extract (CME) and its fractions: chloroform fraction (CCF), acetone fraction (ACF) and aqueous fraction (AQF). This plant species investigated for antileishmanial, antitumor, cytotoxic a c- tivities and phytochemical analysis. The extract and its fractions were tested against L.major parasites. The result of CME showed significant antileishmanial activity with IC 50 value 11.99 µg/ml and CCF result showed moderate activity with IC50 value 18.60 µg/ml comparatively with standard drug Amphotericin B. AQF showed lowest activity with value IC50 >100 µg/ml. On the other hand CME showed significant potato disc antitumor activity with IC 50 value <1. The re- sults of CME and ACF showed maximum brain shrimp cytotoxic activity with ED50 values 0.56 µg/ml. The Phytochemi- cal analysis of CME and its fractions showed the presence of Alkaloid, Flavonoids, Saponins, Phenols, and Diterpenes. The extract and its fractions were also appreciating for further biological studies in future .