The chloroform fraction of alcoholic extract was most active as compared to hexane, n-butanol and aqueous GSK1349572 in vitro fractions. The aqueous fraction was least effective. The data also showed that there was enrichment of

activity in the chloroform fraction from alcoholic extract. The results of the fraction further indicated that the active constituents are non-polar and present in chloroform fraction. In second phase of our investigation the effects of Cuscuta reflexa extracts and fractions against in vivo tumor model and our in vivo studies indicated that the alcoholic extract and its chloroform fraction have anticancer potential. The positive control 5-Fulorouracil (FU) was used to compare the anticancer potential of extract and fraction selleck chemicals llc of the plant. The 5-FU at 22 mg/kg significantly decreases the solid tumour growth in comparison to the solid tumor growth of the control group, where the weight of the tumor was progressing each day. Whereas, the decrease in tumor weight was observed by the test group treated with alcoholic extract as well as significant tumor growth suppression was observed by the test group treated by the chloroform fraction was found ( Table 1). Here, the fraction at 10 mg/kg showed better activity than the extract at 40 mg/kg clearly indicates the enrichment of activity in the chloroform fraction. On the

basis of the above results it can be concluded that the chloroform fraction of alcoholic extract possess significant anticancer activity studied by in vitro and in vivo models. The study also provides a strong evidence for the use of the whole plant of Cuscuta reflexa in folklore treatment as anticancer agent. The activity may be due to the presence of one or more phytochemical constituents present in the extract/fraction. Further studies warranted, for isolation of the constituents responsible for the activity and also to

explore the exact mechanism of action of the activity. All authors have none to declare. Authors are grateful to National Centre for Cell Science, Pune (India) and National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, U.S.A for providing human cancer cell lines. The authors are also thankful already to D.M. Mondhe for his technical support and guidance. “
“The family Polygonaceae, derived from the Greek word meaning knees referred to the swollen joints of some species. Family Polygonaceae comprises 800 species occurring in 30–40 genera, which are widely distributed in both cold and worm countries. Several Polygonaceae species are grown for ornamental purpose and a few for food production.1 Genus Ruprechtia reported to have several biological activities as antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 which are attributed to their terpenoid, tannin and flavonoid contents. 8Ruprechtia includes 37 species among, which are three species cultivated in Egypt, the paucity of phytochemical and biological reports on the R. salicifolia C.A.