Evaluation of antimitotic activity of Rotula aquatica (Lour): a traditional herb used in treatment of cancer.

Rotula aquatica was extensively used by vaidyas (Ayurvedic practioners) in holistic treatment of cancer. In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the antimitotic activity of R. aquatica. Preliminary antimitotic screening was done using Allium cepa root tip assay. The mitotic index of the root tips markedly decreased with increasing concentration of the aqueous extract. The different fractions obtained by successive extraction of R. aquatica using solvents of increasing polarity were also evaluated for their antimitotic activity. Tannins were isolated which showed a better activity than the non-tannin fraction. Experiments were also carried out with incorporation of folic acid in the aqueous extract. Folic acid inhibited the antimitotic activity of aqueous extract of R. aquatica in a dose dependent manner. The results obtained were compared with methotrexate--a known drug available in market as anti-cancer agent. The studies were extended to human cells using 3 pancreatic cancer cell lines, viz: HPAF-II, BxPC-3, and CAPAN-2. Extract of R. aquatica was found to be extremely effective in the prevention of cell proliferation of the pancreatic cancer cell lines. The phytochemical evaluation revealed presence of polyphenols (tannins) and steroids. A HPTLC fingerprinting was developed and studied. Two compounds were isolated and subjected to spectral studies like UV, IR and mass spectrums. The empirical formula was derived by considering this data with elemental analysis of the compounds.