Comparative phytochemical and growth inhibitory studies on the leaf and root bark extracts of securinega Virosa (roxb ex. Willd) baill (euphoriaceae)

Abstract

Securinega virosa is one of the plants used in South-western part of Nigeria in treating cancer. This claim was evaluated using the guinea corn radicle length inhibition assay for anti-proliferation. The growth inhibitory tests were carried out between 1-30 mg/ in a period of 24-96 h while the phytochemical screening was carried out on the plant parts using standard methods. At 24 h, the control seeds had an average radicle length of 2.33 ± 0.63 mm while seeds treated with 20 and 30 mg/ml of extract showed 0.23 ± 0.11 (mm) and 100% growth inhibition respectively. At 96 h, an average length of 0.53 ± 0.25 mm (99 % inhibition) was observed for the leaf extract at 20 mg/ml and 100 % growth inhibition for seeds treated with 30 mg/ml. The root bark extract on the other hand, showed 96.09 and 99.34 % growth reductions, respectively at 20 mg/ml and 30 mg/ml concentrations. The results show a significant growth inhibitory effect of the plant extracts, particularly the leaf extract, hence can be considered in preparing recipes for tumor-related ailments. Further work, especially chromatographic analysis leading to isolation and the use of appropriate human cell lines are needed to support this.

 Keywords: Securinega virosa, antiproliferation, Sorghum bicolor, Phytochemicals, Radicle