Evaluation of Anticancer activity of Ethanol extract of Bauhinia tomentosa Linn. on A549, Human Lung Carcinoma Cell lines

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anticancer activity of ethanol extract of B.tomentosa (EBT). Methods: The anticancer activity of ethanol extract of B.tomentosa was evaluated by MTT Assay, AO/EtBr Fluorescence assay and DNA Fragmentation assay against A549 (human lung cancer cell line). Results: Treatment of A549 cells with EBT (at IC₅₀ concentration) for 48 hrs significantly inhibited the proliferation in a concentration dependent manner. AO/EtBr staining confirms the occurrence of apoptosis in A549 cells after the treatment of EBT. From DNA fragmentation assay, it is evident that EBT has also significantly induced DNA damage in treated A549 cells. Conclusion: Thus the present study demonstrates the anticancer activity of EBT. The ethanol leaf extract of B.tomentosa has shown potent anticancer activity on A549 cancerous cell line. Further studies are needed to identify the bioactive molecules and to explore its mechanism of action which might throw light in the development of new alternative drug for lung cancer.