Phytochemical evaluation and cytotoxic potential of chloroform soluble fraction of methanol extract of Thespesia populnea in human breast cancer cell lines

Background: Thespesia populnea (Poovarasu), belonging to family Malvaceae, is a tropical evergreen tree found abundantly in the coastal regions of India. It is traditionally known for its hepatoprotective, antitumor, antioxidant, and wound healing activities. Objective: The present study was undertaken to find out different phytochemical principles of chloroform-soluble fraction of T. populnea (CSFTP) using gas chromatography mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (GCMS-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and to analyze in vitro cytotoxic potential of the fraction in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell lines. Materials and Methods: Shade-dried bark of T. populnea was extracted using methanol and fractionated to obtain CSF. The fraction was subjected to GCMS, FTIR, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Results: GCMS-MS and FTIR analysis showed the presence of various steroids and fatty acid analogs. Cell growth inhibition was noted for CSFTP in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines. Conclusion: CSFTP revealed the presence of various active principles which could be attributed for its cytotoxic potential.