Free radical scavenging and anticancer activity of clerodendron paniculatum

Oxidative stress has been implicated in numerous pathophysiological conditions including cancer. Conventional medical treatment has its own side effects besides the high cost. A simple but effective way of preventing cancer may be to prevent oxidative damage. In the recent years, several antioxidant phenolic compounds have been recognized to have ability to induce apoptosis in various tumour cells of human origin. By virtue of their antioxidant property, they also prevent cell growth by inhibiting the proteins responsible for cell growth. Ethno botanical search reveals use of many traditional herbs in treatment of cancer, which are usually free from side effects, are economical and also easily accessible to humans. However, their mechanism of action is not known. The plant Clerodendron paniculatum is a plant widely found in Udupi district of Karnataka, India. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible anticancer effects of alcoholic extract of the plant. Although, plants of the same genus were reported to possess potent anticancer activity, no reports were available on this plant. The plants of the genus Clerodendron were reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities also. The extract was also studied for free radical scavenging potential. Although the extract showed significant antioxidant activity, its anticancer potential was not significant.