Cytotoxic activity of Thelesperma megapotamicum (Spreng.) Kuntnze on cell MCF-7 (human breast carcinoma cells)

Abstract

“In vitro” viability tests were done with organics extracts and organics fractions of Thelesperma megapotamicum in search of compounds with antitumoral activity. Human breast tumor cell line (MCF-7) was incubated (6 h) in vitro with whole plant and stoloniferous stem extracts at 0, 50 and 100 ug/ml. Cell viability was determinate by the staining crystal violet. The stoloniferous stem hexane extract was purified by means of chromatography on a Silica gel-60 column with solvents gradient, the fractions obtained were newly incubated on the cell and the viability percentage was calculated. The active fraction (hexane:ethyl ether 1:1 v/v) was submitted to new separation on Silica gel column and three fraction with antiproliferativity activity were found. In future, the active fraction of Thelesperma megapotamicum that have shown pronounced cytotoxic activity in this study will be further evaluated for the possible isolation of any active antitumor compounds.