Taxonomy, propagation and chemical properties of selected Anticancerous plants of Bangladesh

Abstract

This dissertation explains the identification of the anticancerous plants of Bangladesh and their taxonomic enumeration, propagation experiment of some selected anticancerous plants and chemical and biological investigation of two anticancerous plants of Bangladesh, namely Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) R. N. Parker and Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz. Oroxylum indicum belongs to the family Bignoniaceae is a deciduous tree, characterized by compound leaf, long terminal raceme, zygomorphic flowers, campanulate calyx, 5 stamens, axile placentation, sword-like fruits, winged seeds. Aphanamixis polystachya belongs to the family Meliaceae is an evergreen tree characterized by compound leaf, sweet-scented flowers, reddish calyx, waxy petals, 6 stamens, 3-lobed stigmas, obovoid fruits and plano-convex seeds. Over 3000 plant species have been used in one way or another for cancer treatment. In Bangladesh, a total of 220 plant species have been identified having anticancerous properties through literature survey. Propagation experiment of 10 species were carried out. Among them, the highest germination rate (100%) was observed in Plumbago zeylanica and the lowest germination rate (10%) was noticed in Abrus precatorius. In case of Vitex trifolia, seeds were not germinated, however, this plant species was propagated by stem cutting process. Out of the five stem cuttings, all five came out to leafy branches in Vitex trifolia. A thorough and systematic study has been carried out in order to isolate compounds having anticancer properties. The study describes the isolation and characterization of compounds from the root bark of O. indicum, and bark and leaves of A. polystachya. In addition, the crude methanol extract of the root bark of O. indicum, and bark and leaves of A. polystachya and its different soluble partitionates i.e. petroleum ether, DCM (dichloromethane), chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous soluble fractions were obtained by Kupchan partitioning subjected to screenings for anticancer activities.