In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Anti-tumor Properties of the Total Alkaloid Fraction of Unripe Fruits of Solanum pseudocapsicum

The total alkaloid fraction of the methanol extract of unripe fruits of Solanum pseudocapsicum was tested for in vitro cytotoxicity on HEp-2, RD and Vero cell lines and anti-tumor activity using DLA and HEp-2 cell lines. Cell viability and morphological changes were assessed. The total alkaloid fraction exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against all the cell lines tested. The CTC 50 (50 % of cytotoxicity inhibition) was found to be 1.65 µg/ml for the RD cell line, 6.32 µg/ml for the HEp-2 cell line and 12.01 µg/ml for the Vero cell line. In the clonogenic assay, no colony formation was observed even up to a concentration of 25 µg/ml. In the short term, antitumor, studies using DLA cells, the total alkaloid fraction was associated with 50 % viability in the concentration range of 6.25-12.5 µg/ml. In long term, anti-tumor activity using the HEp-2 cell line, no colony formation was observed up to a concentration of 20 µg/ml. Hence, there is a correlation between the results obtained in the cytotoxicity and antitumor studies carried out. Morphological observation by phase contrast microscopy revealed intense damage on all the cell lines. The total alkaloid fraction has the potential for further investigation in animal models.