Nalina Sarasawathi K

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, both in women and among men. In India, Several population based cohort studies were conducted which confirm the significant burden of lung cancer in India, contributing significantly toward the cancer morbidity and mortality. In order to get rid of adverse effects from currently available treatment, scientists have focused on the development of safe anti-cancer agents from herbal sources. Sorgamara Ilai chooranam (Simarouba glauca) is one of the herb mentioned in Siddha text with anti-cancer potential. Hence this present study was performed to validate anti-cancer potential of Sorgamara Ilai Chooranam through MTT assay on A549 cell line at various concentrations. Result showed that the exposure of A549 cells to Sorgamara Ilai Chooranam at the various concentrations significantly reduced the cell viability in a concentration dependent manner. As the concentration increases the cell viability% significantly decreases. For Sorgamara Ilai Chooranam from 7.8µg/ml to 62.5 µg/ml concentration the cell viability % significantly decreased from 74.85 to 52.80. In conclusion, the present study shows that Sorgamara Ilai Chooranam obtained from Simarouba glauca exhibited cytotoxic and anti proliferative activities. The anticancer activities could be explained partly by the presence of high content of Quassinoids and phenolic compounds. However, pharmacological and toxicological studies, preclinical and clinical trials are needed to elucidate the utility of Sorgamara Ilai Chooranam in the treatment of lung cancer.