In vitro Anti-Cancer Activity of Syzygium caryophyllatum L. on HeLa Cell Lines using MTT assay

Syzygium caryophyllatum L. is a small tree or large shrub grow widely mainly in the tropical area. It is native to India and China. S. caryophyllatum L. belonging to the family Myrtaceae is taken for the study to justify and prove its folkloric use. From the literature survey it was found that no substantial work has been carried out to isolate the phytoconstituents and to screen the anticancer activity of S. caryophyllatum. Hence an effort has been made to carry out the phytochemical investigation and to screen the anticancer activity on HeLa cells (cervical cancer cell line) using MTT assay. Chemical investigation of the leaves of S. caryophyllatum led to the isolation of quercetin, 3,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxy flavone and 6,4 dihydroxy 3'propen chalcone from acetone soluble fraction of methanolic extract. These constituents were isolated for the first time from this plant. The acetone soluble fraction of methanolic extract showed significant cytotoxic activity. The activity may be due to quercetin, 3,7-Dihydroxy-4-methoxy flavones, and 6,4 dihydroxy 3'propen chalcone. From the pharmacological studies carried out, it is evident that acetone soluble fraction of methanolic extract of S. caryophyllatum endowed significant anticancer activity, thereby justifying their use in traditional system of medicine for cancer treatment.