title: Medicinal attributes of Solanum xanthocarpum fruit consumed by several tribal communities as food: an in vitro antioxidant, anticancer and anti HIV perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Solanum xanthocarpum (Solanaceae) has been used for treatment of many infectious and degenerative diseases in traditional medicine. Present study reports the medicinal efficacy of S. xanthocarpum fruit as antioxidant, anticancer and anti HIV agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extracts were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus and partially characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Total flavonoid content was determined spectrophotometrically. Reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays were used for measurement of antioxidant potential. Cytotoxic (SRB assay) and anti-HIV RT inhibition (RT assay kit, Roche) activities were determined using ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TLC revealed the diversity of phytoconstituents in various sequential extracts of S. xanthocarpum fruit. Total flavonoid contents in extracts ranged between 10.22-162.49 μg quercetin equivalent/mg. Spectroscopic scanning of water soluble phenolics showed maximum absorbance at 250 and 280 nm. Polar extracts displayed potent radical scavenging activity (>80%). Several sub-fractions (spots) of extracts separated on TLC plates also exhibited powerful radical scavenging activity. Considerable reducing power was observed in extracts. Hexane fraction provided 55% lipoprotection in rat kidney homogenate. Non-polar extracts exhibited appreciable cytotoxic activity (70-91%) against leukemia (THP-1) and lung cancer (HOP-62) cell lines. Lower inhibitory activity was observed in extracts against HIV Reverse Transcriptase enzyme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study demonstrated considerable antioxidant and anticancer activities in S. xanthocarpum fruit.
authors.forename: Shashank
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, India. akpandey23@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Abhay K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Pandey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004032:Diet; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006678:HIV / Q000201:enzymology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D032322:Solanum / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase