Cancer Cure Through Herbals – An Ethnobotanical Perspective

Indian Journal Of Natural Sciences ISSN: 0976 – 0997 Vol1 / Issue 2 / October 2010 © IJONS 91 isolated compounds such as alkaloids [6], flavonoids [7], sesquiterpene lactones [8], diterpenes [9], triterpenes [10] or naphtoquinones [11] among others. Some of these compounds were isolated or obtained by bio-guided isolation after previously detecting antimicrobial activity on the part of the plant [12]. Cardiospermum halicacabum L, family Sapindaceae, is a deciduous, branching, herbaceous climber, which is distributed through out the plains of India. The whole plant has been used for several centuries in the treatment of rheumatism, stiffness of limbs, snake bite; its roots for nervous diseases, as a diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, laxative, refrigerant, stomachic and sudorific; its leaves and stalks are used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and headache and as a poultice for swellings. Phytochemical constituents such as flavones, aglycones, triterpenoids, glycosides and a range of fatty acids and volatile ester have been reported from the various extracts of this plant [13]. Most likely confused with Physalis spp (ground cherry), Clematis occidentalis, Clematis virginiana, Campsis radicans, and Adlumia fungosa [14] MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant collection and identification Leaves of the plant Cardiospermum halicacabum L. was collected from Kunnam, 20 km away from Perambalur at Tamil Nadu, India. This collection of the plant was authenticated by Dr. Kosiba B.S., M.S, (Govt.Regd. no: 1209) Assistant Siddha medical officer, Government district head quarters, Perambalur-District, Tamil Nadustate, India. Chemicals Dried leaves powder of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. , ethanol (SD Fine Chemicals, Mumbai), chloroform water (SD fine, Mumbai, India. ), beef extract (Merck Ldt, India), acid hydrolysate casein (Biomark laboratories, Maharashtra, India), starch (Vrajlal & sons Indore, India), agar-agar (Marine Chemicals, Kerala, India), sodium hydroxide (SD Fine Chemicals, Mumbai), hydrochloric acid (Merck Ldt, India), ciprofloxacin (Chatan & Chatan), distilled water. Extraction of plant material The choice of the plant material for extraction depends on its nature and the components required being isolated. The dried powder plant material is commonly used for extraction. The fresh plant parts when used are homogenized or moistures with a solvent such as alcohol by hot continuous percolation method using Soxhlet apparatus. The leaves of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. were dried in the shade. Then the dried leaves were powdered to get a coarse powder. About 25g of dry powder was extracted with 200ml of ethanol (95%) by hot continuous percolation method using Soxhlet apparatus. The extractions were continued for 72 hours at 50°C. The alcoholic extract was filtered and concentrated to a dry mass by using vacuum distillation method. 25g of dry powder extracted with 200ml of distilled water and 10 ml of chloroform duration for 72 hours at 50°C. After completion of extraction it was filtered and the solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. The extract was then stored in a desiccators [15]. Qualitative phytochemical evaluation The shade dried powder and various extracts of the leaves of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. were subjected to chemical test for its active constituents. Identification of the chemical constituents was carried out on the same extracts used in pharmacological tests according to the methodology proposed by Eyasu Makonnen and Jigna Parekh [16] [17]. Anti-microbial studies Media – Muller Hinton Agar: Take beef extract (4gm), acid hydrolysate casein (7gm) and starch (0.6mg) are mixed and dissolve in distilled water (400ml). Check the pH 7.2 to 7.4. After that agar-agar (8gm) is included into this Saravanakumar et al Indian Journal Of Natural Sciences ISSN: 0976 – 0997 Vol1 / Issue 2 / October 2010 © IJONS 92 mixture. The product is sterilized in autoclave at 15 lbs/sq. inch for 15 minutes. Then use the UV chamber to prepare Muller Hinton agar plate [18]. Cup plate or Cylinder plate method Cup plate method using Mueller-Hinton agar medium was employed to study the antibacterial activity of the extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and E coli [19]. The Mueller-Hinton agar is melted, after that cooled in suitable condition and then spreaded into petridishes. Take 0.2ml of known concentration of inoculums on the surface of the solidified agar. Cups are cavities are made by using sterile borer (4mm). Now 0.2ml drug is poured into the cups of agar plate. Then placed the sample both aqueous and alcoholic extracts, in different concentration in different Petri dish. Then incubated the plates at 37°C for 24 hours [20] [21]. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Leaf extraction Leaf extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum L in ethanol (95%) was obtained by hot continuous percolation method using Soxhlet apparatus. Extract obtained by ethanol extraction for 12 hours at room temperature. After drying dark green residue was obtained. Other hand the same process continued with the aqueous extract. A greenish brown colour residue was obtained. Both aqueous and alcoholic extracts residue were subjected to the chemical test for identification of its active constituents and anti microbial study to know the potency of the leaves extracts. Phytochemical screening Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids (+ve test result for Wagneros), carbohydrates (+ve test result for Fehling's test, Benedict's test), proteins (+ve test result for Biuret test) and saponins. The other secondary metabolites like steroids (+ve test result for Liberman-Burchard, and Salkowski tests), cardiac glycosides (+ve result for Keller-Killani test), etc. present in trace amounts in the extracts (Table 1) Anti-microbial study The anti microbial study of the both alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the Cardiospermum halicacabum L was analyzed by using the Muller Hinton Agar medium (pH 7.2-7.4.). Ciprofloxacin (50mg/ml) was used as a standard drug to compare different concentration (50mg/ml, 75mg/ml, 100mg/ml) of the sample. There are three types of bacterial species are used for the anti bacterial activity. The activities of the extracts are measured by the zone of inhibition (mm) of the bacterial growth. The zone of inhibition of the standard drug is compare to the sample. The average zone of inhibition of aqueous extract 18mm (50 mg/ ml) is nearly close to the standard drug (50mg/ml) average 26mm. But it is too low in alcoholic extract (14mm). According to the result aqueous extract is effective than the alcoholic extract. The concentration of the sample is directly proposed to the zone of inhibition. The results are shown in Figure 1 and 2. Conclusion Plants continue to be used world-wide for the treatment of disease and novel drug entities continue to be developed through research into their constituents. In the present study, preliminary qualitative phytochemical tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, sterols, carbohydrates, protein, lignins and saponins in the extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Both aqueous and alcoholic extracts have significant antibacterial activity. But the aqueous extract has shown better anti-bacterial activity than that of alcoholic extract. When the concentration is increased the zone of inhibition also increased. Saravanakumar et al Indian Journal Of Natural Sciences ISSN: 0976 – 0997 Vol1 / Issue 2 / October 2010 © IJONS 93 Acknowledgement Authors are thankful to authorities of Roever College of Pharmacy, Perambalur621 212. Table 1: Phytochemical screening of the leaves extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum L S. No Chemical test Aqueous extract Alcoholic extract 1 Alkaloids + + 2 Carbohydrates + + 3 Fixed oils and fats 4 Saponins + + 5 Tannis and phenolic compounds 6 Proteins and free amino acids + + 7 Gums and mucilage 8 Flavonoids 9 Lignin + + 10 Phytosterol + + 11 Glycosides -