Ecballium elaterium L. : a source of cucurbitacin E, a cytotoxic tetracyclic triterpenoid

Abstract

Ecballium elaterium L. is a local medicinal plant which stores several compounds, which fall under the name of cucurbitacins. Cucurbitacin E is obtained from the dried fruit juice and has been found to possess cytotoxic properties. In this dissertation a comparative study, regarding the cytotoxicity of cucurbitacin E and busulphan on two cell lines (ovarian and stomach cell lines), was carried out. AIMS: The investigation was divided into two parts: Part I: To determine the inhibition of ovarian and stomach cancer cell growth when these were exposed to different concentrations of the two compounds. The cell viability was followed up from day 0 to day 11 and using the Exclusion Dye Technique (Trypan Blue as dye). Part II: To observe any morphological changes provoked by the cytotoxic agents on the ovarian cancer cell line. The cells were examined after an hour and after twenty-four hours. The Papanicolau Staining Procedure was used.