Anti-cancer and anti-oxidant potential of Indian carpet weed Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC

Abstract

Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC. is an angiospermic weed of the family Molluginaceae. Delving through available literature it is found that this plant has been long used in traditional cultures and multiple ethnic groups in India and other South East Asian countries for medicinal purposes. This study aims to quantify the antioxidant potential of this plant and to check whether it has any cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines. Methanolic fraction extracted from dried leaves has been used for the study. DPPH radical scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, Superoxide scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, total phenol content and total flavonoid content assays were performed and it showed that the methanolic extract of this plant exhibits moderate levels of antioxidant capacity. Methanolic extract of Glinus oppositifolius on different human cancer cell lines reveals enhanced anti-proliferative efficacies as compared to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Glinus oppositifolius therefore makes a potential repository for identifying novel anti-cancer drugs.