The triterpenoid fraction from Trichosanthes dioica root exhibits in vitro antileishmanial effect against Leishmania donovani promastigotes

• Published in: Pharmacognosy research Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 109 - 112
• Main Authors: Bhattacharya, Sanjib, Biswas, Moulisha, Haldar, Pallab
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd 01.04.2013; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Phcog.net; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
• Subjects: Chromatography; Drugs; Fractions; Herbal medicine; Natural products; Original; Parasitic diseases; Potassium; Tropical diseases; India; Bangladesh; promastigotes; Antileishmanial; cucurbitacins; Trichosanthes dioica; Leishmania donovani; root
• ISSN: 0974-8490; 0976-4836; 0974-8490
• DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.110540

Background: Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), called pointed gourd in English is a dioecious climber found wild throughout the plains of the Indian subcontinent and traditionally used in India for several medicinal purposes. Objective: The present study was aimed at the evaluation of in vitro antileishmanial effect of triterpenoid fraction from T. dioica root (CETD). Materials and Methods: The antileishmanial activity of CETD was evaluated against Leishmania donovani (strain MHOM/IN/83/AG83)) promastigotes by in vitro promastigote cell toxicity assay by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Potassium antimonyl tartrate was used as reference. Results: Here, CETD markedly inhibited the growth of L. donovani promastigotes in vitro in a concentration dependent manner and demonstrated IC 50 value of 18.75 μg/ml. The reference drug potassium antimonyl tartrate exhibited IC 50 of 7.52 μg/ml. Conclusion: From the present study it can be inferred that the triterpenoid fraction of T. dioica root exhibited remarkable antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani promastigotes in vitro.