Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Evaluation of the Fruits of Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel. (Apocynaceae)

Rauwolfia vomitoria fruits has been claimed to be used traditionally in treating cancer related diseases. However, this activity has not yet been scientifically proven. This study focused on investigating the cytotoxicity activity of this plant on Tadpoles (Raniceps raninus). The powdered fruits was extracted with methanol and partitioned with n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The extract and fractions obtained were evaluated for cytotoxic potential in tadpoles. Bioactive fractions were analyzed on Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The n-hexane fraction showed significant cytotoxicity at 20mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 5mg/ml while dichloromethane fraction showed toxicity at 20mg/ml and 10mg/ml. The crude methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed toxicity at 20mg/ml while the aqueous methanol fraction showed no toxicity at all. The GC-MS analysis of n-hexane fraction identified Hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester and three (3) other compounds while that of the dichloromethane fraction revealed n-hexadecenoic acid and three (3) other compounds. This study justifies the use of Rauwolfia vomitoria as an anticancer agent.