ASSESSMENT OF IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC POTENTIAL OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF “COLOCASIA ESCULENTA” BY BSL METHOD

NAZIYA ASHPAK TAMBOLI

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i11.56131

Authors

NAZIYA ASHPAK TAMBOLI Department of Pharmacology, Sahyadri College of Pharmacy Methwade, Sangola, Solapur, Maharashtra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i11.56131

Keywords:

Colocasia esculenta, Cytotoxicity, Brine shrimp lethality bioassay method, Ethanolic extract

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to focus on the cytotoxicity by brine shrimp bioassay, for assessing the bioactivity of the Indian medicinal plant Colocasia esculenta, specifically its leaves, which belong to the family Araceae. The high content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of Colocasia leaves render several health benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Methods: The Brine Shrimp Lethality bioassay method was established for the present study, the cytotoxicity was reported in terms of lethality concentration (LC₅₀). The shrimps were hatched and active shrimps were collected and used for the assay. 10 active shrimps were added to the 2.5 ml dilute test solution, and the surviving (larvae) shrimps were counted after 24 h and the lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was assessed.

Results: In the present study, preliminary phytochemical screening showed the existence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, and Carbohydratesin the alcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta. Pharmacological screening confirms that, theethanol extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta exhibited potent brine shrimp lethality (LC₅₀) as 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50µg/ml, respectively. The ethanol extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta at 50µg/ml has more potent 48.1 µg/ml when compared with to the positive control (Standard) i. e. 5-Fluorouracil, which was 43.0 µg/ml exhibiting nonspecific cytotoxicity by BSL (Brine shrimp Lethality) method.

Conclusion: The study further concludes that this anti-cancer activity may be due to the presence of active phyto-constituents present in leaves of Colocasia esculenta and extends the support for further research.

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