In-vitro Anticancer activity of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.

Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy and cause of cancer mortality after breast cancer in developing countries. The high risk Human papiloma virus (HPV) types 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancer cases. HPV type 16 is sexually transmitted and most commonly causes Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix or cervical area. Modern research in the anticancer drug expansion from plants has been focused on investigate the molecular mechanism by which an agent influences cytotoxicity and apoptosis in cancer cells. The aim of this study is to analysis the prevalence of HPV type16 among women and to evaluate phytochemical investigations and cytotoxic activity of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. A total of 1164 abnormal cervical specimens were tested for HPV type 16. Among of them HPV type 16 was the most prevalent type detected 528 (45.36%). The non HPV 16 types were 636 (54.63 %). The age wise distribution of HPV type 16 screening showed that 45.26% of patients were between the age group of 21-35, followed by 35.79% of the patients with the age group below 20 years. The overall in other group the prevalence ratio is generally lower. B.diffusa is a major medically importance weed, which has been proposed for the treatment of liver disorders, cancer and all types of inflammations. The active ingredients of B. diffusa were identified by ethanolic extraction method and further subjected to preliminary Phytochemical screening and Cytotoxicity activity by MTT assay. Phytochemical testing showed the presence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins, Terpenes, Anthraquinones and Steriods. Human Papiloma virus type 16 infected SiHa cervical cancer cell line were used to screen the anticancer potential of the extract of B. diffusa. The inhibition percentage with regard to cytotoxicity was found to be 96.3 % at 1000 g/ml. The results of this research showed that the antioxidant played an important role in protecting the human body against cancer. The plant Boerhaavia diffusa Linn showed that significant anticancer activities against SiHa cell line which can be used as an alternative medicine.